Abstract
Wind power is an environmentally clean, efficient and economical form of alternative energy, however its use has been associated with avian mortality. I conducted an observational study of the nocturnal behavior and habitat use by raptors around wind turbines using night vision devices. Between 20 September 2006 through 8 November 2006 there were 42 individual raptors observed during 210 10/20 minute point count events. Eight of these raptors were diurnal and 34 were nocturnal. Most of the diurnal raptors were found within the area around wind turbines that posed a high mortality risk. 36 percent of the nocturnal raptors were in high mortality risk areas. I used logistic regression to model use of raptors around wind turbines from presence/absence data and found that percent of lunar illumination, ambient temperature and vegetation grouping were significant predictors of raptor presence. Multinomial logistic regression was used to model flight/perching behaviors. Duration of occupancy was significantly affected by flight behavior. Raptor species and vegetation grouping significantly affected perching behavior. These data indicate that raptors are active at night. Further studies need to be conducted to correlate time of mortality with nocturnal behavior and habitat use by raptors around wind turbines that would provide information for management and conservation of these raptor species.