Abstract
This review summarises our current knowledge about the ecology and behaviour of the southern bent-wing bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) in relation to the collision risk with wind turbines and the potential impact that could have on the subspecies. Importantly, this report also highlights where uncertainties in our knowledge remain, at both a population and subpopulation level. This knowledge, and the uncertainties, should be fully recognised and considered to minimise impacts to the southern bent-wing bat during the referral and assessment processes for new wind farm proposals.
We reviewed all relevant published and accessible unpublished information about the ecology of the southern bent-wing bat, as well as relevant international literature. This review incorporates information from 29 southern bent-wing bat-specific documents and a further 46 documents from the wider literature. Relevant research that is currently underway is also mentioned where it will provide more information about a particular topic in the near future (e.g. further work to address some uncertainties is being funded through the Australian Government’s Renewables Environmental Research Initiative – DCCEEW). The collation of this information into a single document will facilitate faster and more robust environmental assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to support Australia’s renewable energy transition and help conserve this threatened bat.
This report consists of seven sections. The first section provides an introduction. The subsequent four sections focus on various ecological aspects of the southern bent-wing bat including its distribution, use of roosts and movements in the landscape, flight characteristics, foraging habitats and population dynamics. The final two sections outline our current knowledge about the risks associated with wind energy facilities, including known mortality rates and survey methods, to inform risk assessments and risk assessment approaches for wind energy facilities. Long-established information is presented alongside recent findings on roost emergence times, foraging habitats and flight heights, as well as ongoing population monitoring results. References are provided to indicate information sources and facilitate access to the original study containing more detailed information.