Since autumn 2002, in a project funded by Airtricity, Natural Research (Projects) Ltd, NRP, has been monitoring use of the Braes of Doune Wind Farm Study Area by key bird species, including red kites.
The area around Doune was one of three sites in Scotland where red kites were reintroduced after their extermination in the 19th century. The wind farm site is only a few kilometres from one of the original release sites, and is in the heart of the kites’ core range in central Scotland.
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Assembling a turbine at Braes of Doune |
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Kite with wing tags and transmitter |
We began a radiotracking study in 2004 to establish the level and manner of use of the study area by the kites. A total of 37 nestling kites have been fitted with 22g back mounted radio transmitters that have a three-year life span. In addition, several radio-tagged individuals from the Inverness area have, at least temporarily, settled locally.
The kites’ transmitters have an activity sensor that allows us to determine whether a bird is flying, perched or likely dead on the ground. As well as determining use of the site, radio tracking will enable recovery of any kites killed by turbine strike, should this actually occur. The work is carried out in all but the most extremely bad weather conditions to see how weather influences use of the site. Of particular interest is how kites use the wind farm area in poor visibility, especially in mist.
In 2006 turbines were erected, and a local worker is employed to search under turbines for any evidence of bird strike, and research is being carried out into observer efficiency and kite scavenging rates at the site. These will help us determine minimum impact to birds due to collision, and give us some insight into the factors that may affect our recovery rate of carcasses, if there are any.
In the first two years we have established a good profile of how the birds use the site in different conditions and seasons. The final turbine was erected in February 2007 and so far there has been no obvious impact on the kites, either through site avoidance or mortality. However, it is still early and more data will allow judgements on the potential effects of the windfarm on kites to be more certain. For more information click the kite picture to access a more detailed account of our work or contact K. Duffy: KevinDuffy@natural-research.org
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