Short Science Summary: Collision Risk Modeling – A Tool for Assessing Risks to Raptors at Wind Energy Facilities

Raptor

In January 2022, the International Energy Agency Wind Task 34—Working Together to Resolve the Environmental Effects of Wind Energy (WREN)—organized a forum to discuss aspects of raptor collision risk with wind turbines. The forum included experts in raptor biology and physiology, collision risk modeling, wind energy development, and atmospheric scientists from seven countries. They represented a range of international stakeholder groups including academia, government agencies, national laboratories, and wildlife consultants. This educational brief, produced by WREN under IEA Wind, summarizes the discussion during the forum and written comments from those who could not attend. Relevant literature was used to provide additional context when needed. A list of the references used to develop this summary is available here. 

The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-based system to curtail wind turbines to reduce eagle collisions Duerr, A., Parsons, A., Nagy, L., Kuehn, M., Bloom, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A utilization distribution for the global population of Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) to guide wind energy development Cervantes, F., Murgatroyd, M., Allan, D., Farwig, N., Kemp, R., Kruger, S., Maude, G., Mendelsohn, J., Rösner, S., Schabo, D., Tate, G., Wolter, K., Amar, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Decoding Golden Eagle Movement Behavior from High-Resolution, Variable-Rate Telemetry Data Through Bayesian Filtering Sandhu, R., Tripp, C., Quon, E., Thedin, R., Brandes, D., Braham, M., Miller, T., Duerr, A., Farmer, C. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A review of raptor carcass persistence trials and the practical implications for fatality estimation at wind farms Wilson, D., Hulka, S., Bennun, L. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
The species-specificity of energy landscapes for soaring birds, and its consequences for transferring suitability models across species Scacco, M., Arrondo, E., Donazar, J., Flack, A., Sanchez-Zapata, J., Duriez, O., Wikelski, M., Safi, K. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Changes in Flow, Collision Birds, Raptors
Limited rigor in studies of raptor mortality and mitigation at wind power facilities Conkling, T., McClure, C., Cuadros, S., Loss, S., Katzner, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Quantifying Raptors’ Flight Behavior to Assess Collision Risk and Avoidance Behavior to Wind Turbines Linder, A., Lyhne, H., Laubek, B., Bruhn, D., Pertoldi, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision Birds, Raptors
Significant decline of Griffon Vulture collision mortality in wind farms during 13-year of a selective turbine stopping protocol Ferrer, M., Alloing, A., Baumbush, R., Morandini, V. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Flight characteristics forecast entry by eagles into rotor-swept zones of wind turbines Rolek, B., Braham, M., Miller, T., Duerr, A., Katzner, T., McCabe, J., Dunn, L., McClure, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Wind Farms and Power Lines Have Negative Effects on Territory Occupancy in Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) Husby, M., Pearson, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Noise Birds, Raptors, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Hotspots in the grid: Avian sensitivity and vulnerability to collision risk from energy infrastructure interactions in Europe and North Africa Gauld, J., Silva, J., Atkinson, P., Record, P., Acacio, M., Arkumarev, V., Blas, J., Bouten, W., Burten, N., Catry, I., Champagnon, J., Clewley, G., Dagys, M., Duriez, O., Exo, K., Fiedler, W., Flack, A., Friedemann, G., Fritz, J., Garcia-Ripolles, C., Garthe, S., Giunchi, D., Grozdanov, A., Harel, R., Humphreys, E., Janssen, R., Kolzch, A., Kulikova, O., Lameris, T., Lopez-Lopez, P., Masden, E., Monti, F., Nathan, R., Nikolov, S., Oppel, S., Peshev, H., Phipps, L., Pokrovsky, I., Ross-Smith, V., Saravia, V., Scragg, E., Sforzi, A., Stoynov, E., Thaxter, C., Van Steelant, W., van Toor, M., Vorneweg, B., Waldenstrom, J., Wikelski, M., Zydelis, R., Franco, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors, Seabirds
Stochastic agent-based model for predicting turbine-scale raptor movements during updraft-subsidized directional flights Sandhu, R., Tripp, C., Quon, E., Thedin, R., Lawson, M., Brandes, D., Farmer, C., Miller, T., Draxl, C., Doubrawa, P., Williams, L., Duerr, A., Braham, M., Katzner, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A Predictive Flight-Altitude Model for Avoiding Future Conflicts Between an Emblematic Raptor and Wind Energy Development in the Swiss Alps Vignali, S., Lörcher, F., Hegglin, D., Arlettaz, R., Braunisch, V. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Drivers of change in mountain and upland bird populations in Europe Alba, R., Kasoar, T., Chamberlain, D., Buchanan, G., Thompson, D., Pearce-Higgins, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Raptors, Waterfowl
Bayesian State-Space Modeling Framework for Understanding and Predicting Golden Eagle Movements Using Telemetry Data Sandhu, R., Tripp, C., Brandes, D., Thedin, R., Quon, E., Williams, L., Lawson, M., Katzner, T., Farmer, C., Miller, T., Duerr, A., Braham, M. Presentation Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Raptors
A Survey of Sex Ratios of Raptors at a Rescue Center in China Yang, L., Zhou, B., Huang, X., Gao, K., Chen, Z., Dai, C., Zhang, S., Zhou, L., Li, Z., Shang, Y., Xi, C., Deng, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Raptors, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Responses of dispersing GPS-tagged Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) to multiple wind farms across Scotland Fielding, A., Anderson, D., Benn, S., Dennis, R., Geary, M., Weston, E., Whitfield, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Flight Altitudes of Raptors in Southern Africa Highlight Vulnerability of Threatened Species to Wind Turbines McClure, C., Dunn, L., McCabe, J., Rolek, B., Botha, A., Virani, M., Buij, R., Katzner, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Major threats to a migratory raptor vary geographically along the eastern Mediterranean flyway Oppel, S., Arkumarev, V., Bakari, S,, Dobrev, V., Saravia-Mullin, V., Adefolu, S., Aktay Sözüer, L., Apeverga, P., Arslan, S., Barshep, Y., Bino,T., Bounas, A., Çetin,T., Dayyoub, M., Dobrev, D., Duro, K., El-Moghrabi, L., ElSafoury, H., Endris, A., Ghazal Asswad, N., Harry, J., Ivande, S., Jbour, S., Kapsalis, E., Kret, E., Mahamued, B., Manu, S., Mengistu, S., Moussa Zabeirou, A., Muhammad, S., Nakev, S., Ngari, A., Onoja, J., Osta, M., Özuslu, S., Petrovski, N., Popgeorgiev, G., Pourchier, C., Qaneer, T., Ruffo, A., Shobrak, M., Sidiropoulos, L., Skartsi, T., Sözüer, Ö., Stara, K., Tesfaye, M., Topi, M,, Vavylis, D., Velevski, M., Vorpsi, Z., Wondafrash, M., Xeka, E., Yeniyurt, C., Yordanov, E., Nikolov, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Passerines, Raptors
Non-territorial GPS-tagged golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos at two Scottish wind farms: Avoidance influenced by preferred habitat distribution, wind speed and blade motion status Fielding, A., Anderson, D., Benn, S., Dennis, R., Geary, M., Weston, E., Whitfield, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Eagles enter rotor-swept zones of wind turbines at rates that vary per turbine McClure, C., Rolek, B., Braham, M., Miller, T., Duerr, A., McCabe, J., Dunn, L., Katzner, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Demographic and potential biological removal models identify raptor species sensitive to current and future wind energy Diffendorfer, J., Stanton, J., Beston, J., Thogmartin, W., Loss, S., Katzner, T., Johnson, D., Erickson, R., Merrill, M., Corum, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A pathway for citizen science data to inform policy: A case study using eBird data for defining low-risk collision areas for wind energy development Ruiz-Gutierrez, V., Bjerre, E., Otto, M., Zimmerman, S., Millsap, B., Fink, D., Stuber, E., Strimas-Mackey, M., Robinson, O. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Adaptive management to improve eagle conservation at terrestrial wind facilities New, L., Simonis, J., Otto, M., Bjerre, E., Runge, M., Millsap, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds, Raptors
Predicting Bald Eagle Collision at Wind Energy Facilities Nasman, K., Bay, K., Mattson, T., Leckband, J., Becker, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A predictive model for improving placement of wind turbines to minimise collision risk potential for a large soaring raptor Murgatroyd, M., Bouten, W., Amar, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
U.S. Geological Survey Migratory Bird Science, 2020–21 Pearse, A., Sherfy, M., Wimer, M., Khalil, M., Wiltermuth, M. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds, Passerines, Raptors, Physical Environment
Eagle fatalities are reduced by automated curtailment of wind turbines McClure, C., Rolek, B., Dunn, L., McCabe, J., Martinson, L., Katzner, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Use of Upland and Riparian Areas by Wintering Bald Eagles and Implications for Wind Energy Schmuecker, S., Becker, D., Lanzone, M., Fogg, B., Romano, S., Katzner, T., Miller, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Paint it black: Efficacy of increased wind turbine rotor blade visibility to reduce avian fatalities May, R., Nygård, T., Falkdalen, U., Åström, J., Hamre, Ø., Stokke, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision Birds, Passerines, Raptors, Waterfowl
Sex- but not age-biased wind turbine collision mortality in the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Heuck, C., Herrmann, C., Wendt, J., Krone, O., Brandl, R., Albrecht, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
High-Resolution Modeling of Uplift Landscapes can Inform Micrositing of Wind Turbines for Soaring Raptors Hanssen, F., May, R., Nygård, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Identifying Birds' Collision Risk with Wind Turbines Using a Multidimensional Utilization Distribution Method Khosravifard, S., Skidmore, A., Naimi, B., Venus, V., Muñoz, A., Toxopeus, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Using radar technology to assess visual monitoring accuracy of Cape Vulture movements Becker, F., Millikin, R., Leslie, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Landscape anthropization shapes the survival of a top avian scavenger Arrondo, E., Sanz-Aguilar, A., Perez-Garcia, J., Cortes-Avizanda, A., Sanchez-Zapata, J., Donazar, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Predicting strike susceptibility and collision patterns of the common buzzard at wind turbine structures in the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany Bose, A., Durr, T., Klenke, R., Henle, K. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Collision risk of Montagu's Harriers Circus pygargus with wind turbines derived from high‐resolution GPS tracking Schaub, T., Klaassen, R., Bouten, W., Schlaich, A., Koks, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Wind turbines in high quality habitat cause disproportionate increases in collision mortality of the white-tailed eagle Heuck, C., Herrmann, C., Levers, C., Leitão, P., Krone, O., Brandl, R., Albrecht, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Birds
Assess risk of individual turbines to Golden Eagles Miller, T. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Birds
Review of Raptor Sections of the Bluestone Wind Avian Risk Assessment Miller, T. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Birds
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