Comments on: Causes of Bird Mortality http://www.sibleyguides.com Identification of North American birds and trees Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:05:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Barry http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-111239 Barry Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:10:26 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-111239 One last comment about the estimated BILLION birds hitting building...I have seen estimated that say we have 8-10 Billion birds in the USA...do you really believe that 10-15 percent of the bird population is wiped out every year? One last comment about the estimated BILLION birds hitting building…I have seen estimated that say we have 8-10 Billion birds in the USA…do you really believe that 10-15 percent of the bird population is wiped out every year?

]]> By: Barry http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-111213 Barry Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:13:09 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-111213 How many Eagles are killed by windows? Feral cat killing Golden Eagles? I think the above estimate are a fraud places by wind turbine enthusiast. The EAgle protection act and the bird migration treaty both should be enforced against wind turbine companies, just like against oil companies. But the flow of subsidies to wind are just too great...the Gov of Maine went into the wind industry after setting up the laws to enrich himself. How many Eagles are killed by windows? Feral cat killing Golden Eagles? I think the above estimate are a fraud places by wind turbine enthusiast. The EAgle protection act and the bird migration treaty both should be enforced against wind turbine companies, just like against oil companies. But the flow of subsidies to wind are just too great…the Gov of Maine went into the wind industry after setting up the laws to enrich himself.

]]> By: Barry http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-111212 Barry Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:08:29 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-111212 I see these estimate from the wind lobby are still around. In NJ they erected 5 large wind turbines near Atlantic City on an island in an estuary. There local Audubon Study concludes that 74 birds and bat were killed per turbine per year. 4 Osprey(pop 800) and 1 peregrine Falcon(pop 30) were confirmed killed and they estimate there recovery rate is only 37% so more were likely killed. There are thousand planned so the NE should plan for the extinction of many raptors... here is the the study http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/lewesturbine/documents/acua_quarterlyreport_fall09.pdf Currently in California more Golden Eagles are killed by wind turbines than reproduced. The large more modern wind turbines actually are more in the flight path of large raptors and kill more. The SF Audubon has shown an increase in kills the better searches and larger turbines. I see these estimate from the wind lobby are still around. In NJ they erected 5 large wind turbines near Atlantic City on an island in an estuary. There local Audubon Study concludes that 74 birds and bat were killed per turbine per year. 4 Osprey(pop 800) and 1 peregrine Falcon(pop 30) were confirmed killed and they estimate there recovery rate is only 37% so more were likely killed. There are thousand planned so the NE should plan for the extinction of many raptors… here is the the study
http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/lewesturbine/documents/acua_quarterlyreport_fall09.pdf

Currently in California more Golden Eagles are killed by wind turbines than reproduced. The large more modern wind turbines actually are more in the flight path of large raptors and kill more. The SF Audubon has shown an increase in kills the better searches and larger turbines.

]]> By: dv http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-110194 dv Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:32:33 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-110194 Based on slovacool, "Contextualizing avian mortality: a preliminary appraisal of bird and bat fatalities from wind, fossil-fuel, and nuclear electricity", which finds an average avian mortality of 0.3/GWh, if the entire US electrical base (3700 TWh/yr) were replaced with wind turbines, approximately 1.2 million birds would die each year from wind power. This is approximately 1/100 the minimum estimate for bird deaths from windows, and an estimated 10-fold decrease in bird fatalities relative to a coal-fired grid (based on the same paper). I have tried to understand the fierce opposition to wind farms by some environmental groups. I suspect it is because they make easy targets. After all, they're suppose to be good for the environment, right?. When viewed in comparison to alternatives, they seem to be more environmentally friendly, and thus should probably not be opposed with such zeal. When looking to minimize bird deaths, it also seems that even minor efforts to reduce kills by feral cats, windows, and cars would completely dwarf any change in kill rate possible with turbines, even with vertical axis designs. Based on slovacool, “Contextualizing avian mortality: a preliminary appraisal of bird and bat fatalities from wind, fossil-fuel, and nuclear electricity”, which finds an average avian mortality of 0.3/GWh, if the entire US electrical base (3700 TWh/yr) were replaced with wind turbines, approximately 1.2 million birds would die each year from wind power. This is approximately 1/100 the minimum estimate for bird deaths from windows, and an estimated 10-fold decrease in bird fatalities relative to a coal-fired grid (based on the same paper).

I have tried to understand the fierce opposition to wind farms by some environmental groups. I suspect it is because they make easy targets. After all, they’re suppose to be good for the environment, right?. When viewed in comparison to alternatives, they seem to be more environmentally friendly, and thus should probably not be opposed with such zeal. When looking to minimize bird deaths, it also seems that even minor efforts to reduce kills by feral cats, windows, and cars would completely dwarf any change in kill rate possible with turbines, even with vertical axis designs.

]]> By: heidi http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-104936 heidi Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:47:24 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-104936 Re: wind turbines and raptors, I'm not sure exactly why that assumption is being perpetuated - Altamont Pass was hell on raptors, but new turbine designs don't lure raptors in for perching... Instead they kill everything from warblers to ducks and beyond. I'm sure Altamont did the same, but raptors were the primary concern there. Raptors aren't the whole story for new turbine designs. Bats have it far worse than birds and that needs to be addressed far more seriously than it has been historically. I'd like to see more of the 'bladeless' and vertical axis designs explored; 3 blade designs are hell on wildlife. Re: wind turbines and raptors, I’m not sure exactly why that assumption is being perpetuated – Altamont Pass was hell on raptors, but new turbine designs don’t lure raptors in for perching… Instead they kill everything from warblers to ducks and beyond. I’m sure Altamont did the same, but raptors were the primary concern there. Raptors aren’t the whole story for new turbine designs. Bats have it far worse than birds and that needs to be addressed far more seriously than it has been historically.

I’d like to see more of the ‘bladeless’ and vertical axis designs explored; 3 blade designs are hell on wildlife.

]]> By: Getachew http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-93501 Getachew Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:23:25 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-93501 I am afried by what wind power is doing on birds. I am afried by what wind power is doing on birds.

]]> By: jack http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-81751 jack Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:44:12 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-81751 Charles, From your post it is clear that you are smart enough to make up your own mind from the data available to you. Clearly emotional responses often indicate an opinion formed on the basis of events not related to the issue at hand. No energy source has no impact on the environment. The challenge is to try to use energy sources that represent the best long-term compromises with the least impact and are sustainable. If birds are the only issue of importance (and in my opinion, this is one of several important issues regarding energy) then you ought to compare how many birds are killed or habitat destroyed by acid rain or the construction of other types of power plants. Those are just two examples. Stay scientific. Let facts lead you. We need learned and calm consideration of our alternatives or we will never solve our problems. Your post gives me hope for our future. Good luck with your investigation! Charles,

From your post it is clear that you are smart enough to make up your own mind from the data available to you. Clearly emotional responses often indicate an opinion formed on the basis of events not related to the issue at hand.

No energy source has no impact on the environment. The challenge is to try to use energy sources that represent the best long-term compromises with the least impact and are sustainable. If birds are the only issue of importance (and in my opinion, this is one of several important issues regarding energy) then you ought to compare how many birds are killed or habitat destroyed by acid rain or the construction of other types of power plants. Those are just two examples.

Stay scientific. Let facts lead you. We need learned and calm consideration of our alternatives or we will never solve our problems. Your post gives me hope for our future.

Good luck with your investigation!

]]> By: Nick http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-67955 Nick Tue, 10 May 2011 18:08:29 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-67955 yes there should be no wind turbinds they kill valubal wild life and year apart familys yes there should be no wind turbinds they kill valubal wild life and year apart familys

]]> By: Charles Holt http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-67953 Charles Holt Tue, 10 May 2011 18:01:10 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-67953 Hello I am a ninth grade student in an iowa high school and my physical science teacher has givin me a new project. That is to wright the pros and cons of wind turbinds and make a debate in front of the class. During the debate the oppsing team brought up that wind turbinds kill birds but on this site it says that birds die more from windows than wind turbinds. so do you think that killing birds is a liable reason not to build wind turbinds? Hello I am a ninth grade student in an iowa high school and my physical science teacher has givin me a new project. That is to wright the pros and cons of wind turbinds and make a debate in front of the class. During the debate the oppsing team brought up that wind turbinds kill birds but on this site it says that birds die more from windows than wind turbinds. so do you think that killing birds is a liable reason not to build wind turbinds?

]]> By: Darwin26 http://www.sibleyguides.com/conservation/causes-of-bird-mortality/comment-page-1/#comment-59470 Darwin26 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:47:17 +0000 http://www.sibleyguides.com/?page_id=1529#comment-59470 This sounds like the spineless 'above the law' spew of "that's what cats Do" impudent monsters ...isn't that like telling the neighborhood if you don't like my unlicensed, unneutered, marauding predator in your yard thrill killing the birds that you've opened your yard up to, a personal sanctuary if you please, Tough S--- 'Get used to it'. This is what the majority of predator Cats owners think and personally, they themselves are but impudent monsters - put here by a loving flying spagetti monster to Kill billions of birds for pleasure. A few months ago i caught this marauding predator with 1 of my 5 Blue Jays who daily came to my feeder,in its mouth, it killed a chick-a-dee too and that mate was soo soo soo unhappy it cried all around me as i picked up the little torn up carcass, this feral cat was on a killing spree mostly sparrows and one Eurasian Ring-neck that i could see in my tiny little sanctuary thanks to predator lovers. No We won't get used to it. This sounds like the spineless ‘above the law’ spew of “that’s what cats Do” impudent monsters …isn’t that like telling the neighborhood if you don’t like my unlicensed, unneutered, marauding predator in your yard thrill killing the birds that you’ve opened your yard up to, a personal sanctuary if you please, Tough S— ‘Get used to it’. This is what the majority of predator Cats owners think and personally, they themselves are but impudent monsters – put here by a loving flying spagetti monster to Kill billions of birds for pleasure.
A few months ago i caught this marauding predator with 1 of my 5 Blue Jays who daily came to my feeder,in its mouth, it killed a chick-a-dee too and that mate was soo soo soo unhappy it cried all around me as i picked up the little torn up carcass, this feral cat was on a killing spree mostly sparrows and one Eurasian Ring-neck that i could see in my tiny little sanctuary thanks to predator lovers. No We won’t get used to it.

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