Institute Studies Clash Between Wind and Raptors
A new organization is working to balance wind energy expansion with protection for birds of prey. Dr. Judd Howell, the inaugural Research Director at the American Wind and Wildlife Institute (AWWI), brings expertise in both wind energy impacts and raptor conservation from his previous work in the Altiplano region.
The Challenge
Raptors face particular vulnerability since they exist in smaller populations than other bird species. As Howell noted: “Birds fly into things.” Beyond wind turbines, human infrastructure like “buildings, automobiles and power lines” poses similar hazards.
Why Raptors Are Vulnerable
Population Characteristics
- Slow reproductive rates
- Long maturation periods
- Small population sizes
- Specialized habitat needs
- Sensitivity to disturbance
Behavioral Factors
- Hunting behavior brings them into rotor zones
- Soaring flight patterns intersect turbine heights
- Visual focus on prey rather than obstacles
- Territorial defense can ignore hazards
- Migration routes through wind development areas
Case Study: Altamont Pass
California’s Altamont Pass Wind Farm, among the world’s oldest and largest, illustrates the problem. A 2005 report documented between 1,870 to 4,310 annual bird deaths across 31 species.
Altamont’s Unique Challenges
Howell emphasized the facility lacked adequate planning, developed hastily during the 1970s energy crisis using smaller, less efficient turbines than modern installations.
Historical Context
- Built during oil crisis with limited environmental review
- Thousands of small turbines on lattice towers
- Sited in prime raptor habitat
- No wildlife assessment conducted
- Turbine density extremely high
Why Altamont Is Particularly Problematic
- Located in important raptor migration corridor
- Rich prey base attracting birds of prey
- Older turbine design more dangerous
- Lattice towers provide perching opportunities
- Blade speeds creating strike hazards
Species Affected
The impact fell disproportionately on protected species:
- Golden eagles: Significant population impact
- Red-tailed hawks: High mortality numbers
- American kestrels: Widespread fatalities
- Burrowing owls: Ground-dwelling vulnerability
Mitigation Strategies
Recent efforts show promise through various approaches:
Turbine Shutdowns
Iberdrola Renewables reduced bat mortality by 53-87% through selective nighttime shutdowns during low-wind conditions.
How It Works
- Identifies high-risk periods (low wind, specific seasons)
- Temporarily stops turbines during these windows
- Minimal energy production loss
- Significant wildlife benefit
Applicability to Raptors
- Similar approach could protect during migration
- Shutdown during peak hunting hours
- Seasonal adjustments for breeding
- Weather-based protocols
Visual Deterrents
Blade painting experiments have shown potential but remain unimplemented at scale.
Theoretical Benefits
- Increase turbine visibility to birds
- Break up motion blur
- Provide visual warning
- Low-cost intervention
Implementation Barriers
- Uncertain effectiveness
- Aesthetic concerns
- Maintenance requirements
- Lack of large-scale validation
Site Selection
Proper location assessment represents the most critical prevention factor.
Best Practices
- Comprehensive wildlife surveys before development
- Multi-year data collection on species presence
- Migration corridor identification
- Habitat assessment
- Population modeling
Avoidance Criteria
- Known raptor nesting areas
- Critical hunting habitat
- Migration concentration points
- Endangered species territories
- High-value conservation areas
Modern Turbine Design Advantages
Newer wind facilities differ significantly from Altamont:
Technological Improvements
Fewer, Larger Turbines
- Higher capacity per unit
- Greater spacing between turbines
- Taller towers keeping blades higher
- Smoother towers preventing perching
Safety Features
- Slower rotational speeds
- Better bird detection systems
- Automated shutdown capabilities
- Tubular rather than lattice towers
Siting Improvements
Modern projects incorporate:
- Pre-construction wildlife studies
- Migration pattern analysis
- Habitat modeling
- Population impact assessment
- Stakeholder engagement
The AWWI Model
The American Wind and Wildlife Institute brings together conservation groups, industry, and NGOs to develop proactive solutions while advancing renewable energy infrastructure responsibly.
Collaborative Approach
Stakeholder Inclusion
- Environmental organizations
- Wind energy developers
- Government agencies
- Research institutions
- Local communities
Benefits of Collaboration
- Shared knowledge and expertise
- Balanced perspective
- Practical solutions
- Reduced conflict
- Innovation encouragement
Research Priorities
- Baseline data collection: Understanding wildlife populations and behaviors
- Impact assessment: Measuring actual mortality rates
- Mitigation testing: Evaluating solution effectiveness
- Technology development: Creating detection and deterrent systems
- Best practice documentation: Sharing what works
Broader Wildlife Considerations
While raptors receive significant attention, wind facilities affect other species:
Bats
- High mortality rates at many facilities
- Different mitigation strategies needed
- Less visible but significant impact
- Ecosystem role in pest control
Migratory Birds
- Seasonal mortality spikes
- Species-specific vulnerabilities
- Cumulative impact across facilities
- Coordination with migration patterns
Local Species
- Habitat fragmentation from development
- Construction disturbance
- Noise impacts on breeding
- Changes in prey availability
Balancing Energy and Conservation
The fundamental challenge involves advancing clean energy while protecting wildlife:
The Climate Imperative
- Renewable energy necessity: Climate change threatens all species
- Carbon reduction urgency: Fossil fuel alternatives needed
- Ecosystem disruption: Climate impacts exceed turbine impacts
- Transition speed: Quick deployment required
Conservation Priorities
- Population viability: Maintaining healthy wildlife populations
- Rare species protection: Special concern for threatened species
- Ecosystem function: Preserving ecological relationships
- Ethical responsibility: Minimizing human-caused mortality
Solutions Framework
Effective approaches require:
Preventive Measures
- Smart siting: Avoid high-risk areas
- Pre-construction assessment: Understand risks before building
- Design optimization: Use safest turbine configurations
- Capacity concentration: Fewer sites with larger capacity
Operational Modifications
- Selective shutdown: Stop turbines during high-risk periods
- Detection systems: Automated bird sensing and response
- Habitat management: Reduce attractiveness to prey
- Monitoring programs: Track impacts and adjust practices
Policy and Regulation
- Siting guidelines: Clear standards for location decisions
- Impact assessment requirements: Mandatory wildlife studies
- Mitigation enforcement: Ensuring promised measures implemented
- Adaptive management: Adjusting based on monitoring results
Research Gaps
Understanding and mitigating impacts requires additional research:
Priority Questions
- What turbine configurations minimize risk?
- How effective are deterrent technologies?
- What siting criteria best predict impacts?
- How do cumulative impacts affect populations?
- Which mitigation strategies provide best results?
Methodological Challenges
- Detection difficulty: Finding carcasses in large areas
- Attribution uncertainty: Determining cause of death
- Population effects: Distinguishing facility impacts from other factors
- Long-term monitoring: Sustained funding and effort
- Standardization: Comparable methods across sites
Economic Considerations
Wildlife protection has economic implications:
Costs
- Pre-construction wildlife studies
- Mitigation measure implementation
- Monitoring program operations
- Potential production losses from shutdowns
- Technology development investment
Benefits
- Reduced regulatory delays and conflicts
- Social license to operate
- Brand reputation enhancement
- Risk management and liability reduction
- Long-term sustainability
Looking Forward
Successful wind energy expansion requires:
Industry Commitment
- Prioritizing siting quality over convenience
- Investing in mitigation research
- Implementing best practices voluntarily
- Transparent impact reporting
- Continuous improvement mindset
Regulatory Framework
- Science-based siting standards
- Consistent impact assessment requirements
- Effective enforcement mechanisms
- Adaptive management provisions
- Adequate funding for monitoring
Continued Innovation
- Improved detection systems
- Effective deterrent technologies
- Optimized turbine designs
- Better predictive models
- Refined mitigation strategies
Conclusion
The conflict between wind energy and raptors isn’t insurmountable. Through:
- Careful siting avoiding high-risk areas
- Modern turbine designs reducing hazards
- Operational modifications during critical periods
- Ongoing research improving understanding
- Collaborative problem-solving
The wind industry can expand while minimizing wildlife impacts.
Organizations like the American Wind and Wildlife Institute demonstrate that environmental protection and renewable energy development need not be in conflict. By bringing stakeholders together around shared goals—clean energy and healthy ecosystems—practical solutions emerge that serve both objectives.
As Dr. Howell’s work shows, understanding the specific challenges facing raptors enables targeted solutions. Rather than abandoning wind energy or accepting unacceptable wildlife mortality, thoughtful approaches can thread the needle, providing clean energy while protecting the magnificent birds of prey that soar through the same skies as turbine blades.