IMPROVED POWER LINE INTERACTION WITH BIRDLIFE (EN12, EN13, EN14)

www.ren.pt

Power line markers
One of the fauna impacts deriving from the construction and operation of power lines involves the possibility of birds colliding with cables and, more rarely, being electrocuted.

The signing of a collaboration protocol with the Nature Conservation Institute (now Nature Conservation Institute and Biodiversity), on the impacts on Birdlife of high voltage lines, identified the power line sections considered to have or potentially have impact.

In the wake of this process, over the course of 2006 measures to minimise impacts on birds were implemented by marking sections on the Ferreira do Alentejo-Ourique 150kV power line. Nearly 16,355 devices to reduce bird collisions were installed, of the BFD (Bird Flight Diverter) type, as indicated in the figure below.

Figure 14 – Marking of the Ferreira do Alentejo – Ourique power line (detail of BFD on right)

Other sections of the power line identified in the protocol will be marked in 2007, and the effectiveness of the marking methods meanwhile adopted will be evaluated.

Control measures
Likewise in the area of Birdlife protection and per the indication of environmental studies, of environmental assessment processes or periodical maintenance activities, the main activities undertaken to make the national transmission grid compatible with the presence of storks have been the following:

• · Installation of nesting platforms, eventually accompanied by nest transfers;
• · Assembly of simple and expeditious devices to prevent storks from perching on insulator strings (initially small crosses with buoys and crossed wires and, more recently, small fans or windmills);
• · Placement of plates over insulators (little used option).
• ·

• ·

Figure 15 – Evolution of Birdlife nesting control measures

All these actions were carried out with the authorisation of the Nature Conservation Institute, with a view to reducing situations of bird death by collision or electrocution. The aim has also been to minimise the number of incidents caused by storks on operational power lines, thus improving service quality.

With the implementation of some simple measures it has therefore been possible to significantly increase the number of existing nests on pylons of the national transmission grid (in 2006 nearly 1,300 nests were inventoried) without affecting service quality.

Figure 16 – Evolution of the number of stork nests and the rate of incidents in NTG power lines

Figure 17 – Black stork

The year 2006 saw an increase in the number of recorded incidents, compared to the previous year. This circumstance may be related to an increase in the stork population in habitats crossed by national transmission grid power lines. In some areas flocks of birds in considerable number have effectively been observed. Although they do not nest on the power line pylons, they use them as perch sites.

Bonelli eagle study and conservation
During the process to evaluate the environmental impact of the Tunes—Estoi 150kV and Sines—Portimão 3 400 kV power lines, significant impacts on Birdlife were identified, due to the power lines’ proximity to Bonelli eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) nests. The main impact derives from the possibility of the birds colliding with power lines, especially when hunting, for adults, and in the flight learning phase for juveniles.

For three years various compensatory measures will be implemented to increase food availability, improve the nesting habitat and study as best as possible the eagles’ interaction with power lines, and to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures. Details of this action can be examined more closely by reading the case study.

Figure 18 – Bonelli eagle (photo provided by the International Douro Natural Park)

Also in the context of Bonelli eagle conservation activities, noteworthy is the sponsorship granted to the project to conserve woodland populations of this species in Portugal, under the LIFE Nature Programme of the Iberian Birdlife Studies Centre (CEAI). This project specifically aims to:

• · Lower the mortality of adults and juveniles, and increase the productivity of pairs, so as to positively influence the population dynamic of the Bonelli eagle;
• · Improve habitat management by creating more favourable environmental conditions for the presence of this project’s target species, and consequently of other priority species;
• · Monitor the Bonelli eagle population covered by the project;
• · Involve the various social players who act in territorial management (including farmers, hunters, forest managers, officials from central/regional/local government and businesspersons) in conservation actions, granting them a significant and valued role, encouraging them to play an active role in the conservation of biodiversity in general and the species in particular.

THE PRICE OF POWER UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF POWER LINES ON BIRDS

Author: Katherine Hyzy

Road-RIPorter Issue: Spring Equinox 2004, Volume 9 #1

March 2, 2004

www.wildlandscpr.org

Linear barriers such as power lines, right-of-way clearings, pipelines, seismic lines and even fences and ditches are ubiquitous features across our landscape and can pose significant threats to ecosystem integrity and at-risk species. Of these disturbances, power lines pose the greatest threat to avian populations. Mortalities from collisions with power lines and electrocutions on poles are well-documented (for review see Jalkotzy et al. 1997). Although the total number of these mortalities is relatively low compared to road kill (Janss and Ferrer 1998), even low mortality levels can have a significant effect on at-risk populations. Recent research has shown that bird morphology and behavior can determine which birds are at greatest risk of being killed. Additionally, visibility and type of wires and poles are all factors in bird mortality rates. This article summarizes recent literature on the effects of power lines, poles, and electromagnetic fields, and concludes with a list of proposed mitigation measures.

Review of Literature

Power Lines

Ornithologists studying bird/power line interactions have long hypothesized that bird morphology plays an important role in the likelihood of collision (Jalkotzy et al. 1997). Building on this research, a recent study in west-central Spain attempted to establish a model for determining species’ risk of mortality from power lines. Over the course of two years, species abundance was measured in three habitat types, and road surveys were conducted along power lines to determine the relative abundance of raptors, ravens and storks, the three bird species that other studies have identified as being most at risk of electrocution. In addition, several mortality surveys were conducted beneath power poles in the region during roughly the same time period. The results from the two surveys were pooled, documenting a total of 41 species killed by power lines. Overall, species with a greater wing loading value (a greater weight-to-wing ratio; ducks vs. herons, for example) were more likely to die of power line collisions than from electrocutions (Janss and Ferrer 1998).

Several studies have attempted to determine the efficacy of power line modifications designed to make wires more visible to avifauna or to otherwise protect them from power line collisions. During a three- year monitoring study Savereno et al. (1996) compared avian reaction to two transmission lines (with marked and unmarked static/grounding lines) running through saltmarsh along the South Carolina coast. Thirty-five to forty percent of the flocks exhibited behavior change in reaction to both line types. Of the flocks approaching at line height, 98% changed behavior at the marked site, compare to 89% at the unmarked, indicating the markers did have an effect. Flocks also tended to approach the marked line at lower elevations than at the unmarked line. Observed collisions at both sites were primarily with the static line. A similar study compared ptarmigan collisions between three sections of power line over a six-year period (Bevanger and Broseth 2001). On one of the sections, the static line was removed, and a 51% reduction in collisions resulted. In a third study, white wire spirals and black bands crossed to form an “x” reduced overall collision mortality by 75%, although the Great Bustard, an endangered species that suffers significant collision mortalities, did not respond to the markers (Janss and Ferrer 1998).

A study conducted in Spain compared avian mortalities on three different types of power lines: one transmission wire with static wires, and two smaller distribution lines, each with three wires on virtually the same horizontal plane (Janss and Ferrer 1998). Each type of line was at a significantly different height. The lowest of the distribution lines experienced much higher collision frequencies. Because no general bird abundance surveys were conducted, clear conclusions cannot be drawn regarding type of line and collision frequency, except to note that distribution lines, which are less studied than transmission lines, can certainly be as significant a cause of mortalities.

Power Poles

While power lines pose a number of threats to a variety of birds, the poles that support them are most likely to affect raptors and corvids. These birds are most at risk due to their relatively wide wingspans and tendency to use poles as nesting platforms and perches from which they survey for prey (Lehmann 2001). Studies have shown that golden and bald eagles suffer some of the highest mortalities; one study based on ten years of data collected from 13 western states and Canada found that out of 1,450 confirmed raptor electrocutions, 272 were golden eagles. Electrocution deaths occur when a bird’s body bridges the gap between two energized components, most likely the wires (Harness and Wilson 2001). Studies generally rely on ground surveys beneath poles and necropsies or visual signs (scorch marks) to confirm electrocution deaths, but this technique may only provide a low estimate of electrocution mortalities (Deng and Frederick 2001). Reporting of raptor electrocutions is not required of utilities, and since raptor deaths are a violation of federal law, there may be a considerable disincentive to reporting.

In some areas raptor and corvid populations may benefit from the presence of power poles. In a study of a 596 km segment of transmission line through southern Idaho and Oregon, researchers found that over the course of nine years, nesting pairs of raptors and corvids on the steel transmission towers increased from three to 133. In the same study, nesting success for golden eagles was ten percent higher for nests on the transmission line than in cliffside nests in the area population (Steenhof et al. 1993).

Electromagnetic Fields

There is growing concern that the strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by wires may adversely affect the health of avian populations. One study (Fernie et al. 2000) observed two groups of mated American kestrels under controlled conditions, one exposed to EMF levels comparable to a transmission line. Pairs in the EMF-exposed group had significantly higher fertility rates, larger eggs and embryos, and higher fledgling success. However, EMF-exposed eggs had significantly thinner shells and a lower hatching success. The reduced hatching success may be related to both the thinner shells (increased porosity) and the larger embryo size, which may reflect EMF effects on thyroid development. Doherty and Grubb (1998) examined the nesting success of birds out in the field under several power lines and found species-specific effects. EMF exposure appeared to have little effect on house wrens nesting under transmission lines. However, comparing EMF-exposed tree swallows with control populations revealed that EMF-exposed swallows had significantly wider eggs, with greater volume, and lower fledging success, leading to an overall lower rate of reproductive success.

Recommendations

While power lines and poles pose a potential danger to birds, there are a number of ways in which this threat can be mitigated, if not eliminated. The following are recommendations inferred or taken directly from the previous papers.

1. Remove static lines from poles. While these do serve to stabilize high-voltage lines, officials in Norway have admitted that at voltages below 132kv, their utility is less than certain (Bevanger and Broseth 2001). If they are proven to be unnecessary, doing away with them could prevent hundreds of collision deaths.

2. Use wire markers on static lines. Though effectiveness varies by species, wire markers should help reduce collisions.

3. Consider the presence of species of concern when choosing power line locations. Some species, like the Great Bustard in Europe, cannot afford power line casualties. Avoiding the division of breeding and feeding grounds by lines could cut down on fatalities, as could burying the lines or locating them all on the same horizontal plane.

4. Minimize opportunities for birds to come in contact with wires. Place perches above wires, ensure that wires are spaced to accommodate the wingspan of the largest birds, and provide nesting platforms in areas where raptors are likely to nest on poles. Wooden poles also help reduce the number of electrocutions.

5. Create a centralized reporting system. Utilities should be required to report avian mortalities in a standardized fashion. Doing so would provide a wealth of information about avian deaths, and would provide a means for tracking down the worst offenders.

Conclusion

While the era of decentralized electric generation may be on the horizon, it’s unlikely that we will do away with the infrastructure of the energy grid anytime soon. However, practicing responsible site placement and more avian-aware design with both new and existing power lines and poles will go a long way toward protecting and preserving avian populations and the ecosystems of which they are a part.

— Katharine Hyzy is a graduate student in the Environmental Studies program at the University of Montana, and has worked on energy issues in Montana and Oregon.

Biliography

Bevanger, K. and H. Broseth. 2001. Bird collisions with power lines-an experiment with ptarmigan. Biological Conservation 99: 341- 346.

Deng, J. and P. Frederick. 2001. Nocturnal flight behavior of waterbirds in close proximity to a transmission power line in the Florida Everglades. Waterbirds 24(3): 419-424.

Doherty, P. and T. Grubb. 1997. Reproductive success of cavity- nesting birds breeding under high- voltage power lines. American Midland Naturalist 140: 122-128.

Fernie, K., D. Bird, R. Dawson and P. Lague. 2000. Effects of electromagnetic fields on the reproductive success of American kestrels. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 73(1): 60-65.

Harness, R.E. and K.R. Wilson. 2001. Electric-utility structures associated with raptor electrocutions in rural areas. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29: 612- 623.

Jalkotzy, M.G., P.I. Ross and M.D. Nasserden. 1997. The effects of linear developments on wildlife: a review of selected scientific literature. Prepared for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Arc Wildlife Services Ltd., Calgary.

Janss, G. and M. Ferrer. 1998. Rate of bird collision with power lines: effects of conductor-marking and static wire-marking. Journal of Field Ornithology 69(1): 8-17.

Lehman, R.N. 2001. Raptor electrocution on power lines: current issues and outlook. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29(3): 804-813. Savereno, A., L.

Savereno, R. Boettcher and S. Haig. 1996. Avian behavior and mortality at power lines in coastal South Carolina. Wildlife Society Bulletin 24(4): 636-648.

Steenhof, K., M. Kochert and G. Roppe. 1993. Nesting by raptors and common ravens on electrical transmission line towers. Journal of Wildlife Management 57(2): 271-281.

Stork protection program launched in Hungary

mme.hu

Electricity providers in Hungary help storks by placing “nest holders” on top of poles, encouraging them to nest near villages.

By: All Hungary News

2008-06-26 09:29

The Hungarian Ornithology Association (Magyar Madártani Egyesület) has launched an extensive campaign to protect storks nesting in Hungary. As part of the campaign, ornithologists ringed 160 stork chicks in 27 settlements around the country on Friday, writes hirtv.hu. The rings, which can be read with binoculars, help scientists trace the route of the birds, locate their resting places and gather information on how loyal they are to their mates. The birds are popular and iconic in Hungary as four-fifths of Hungarian storks nest on top of electric poles, a high rate compared to other countries. The main reason for this is that electricity providers help the storks by placing baskets on top of poles. These have proved a great success with the birds – and with villagers.

As part of the campaign, ornithologists have also placed webcameras in nine nests. These can be viewed on the association’s website, writes hirado.hu.

Roughly 5,000 White Stork pairs are nesting in Hungary today, only one-third of their number before the Second World War. A positive sign is that their number has been stable since the 1970s, said Péter Lovászi, regional co-ordinator of the campaign in Szeged.

Storks return from their wintering place early April and lay three to six eggs a few days later. Chicks hatch one month later and leave the nest eight to nine weeks after that

REPORT

Birds and Electrical Wires

March 5^th, 2009

Mr. Peter OLAJOS, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and Chairman of the Subgroup on Energy and Transports of the Intergroup on Sustainable Development, hosted on 5^th March 2009 a meeting on ‘Birds and Electrical Wires‘.

Mr. OLAJOS introduced the first speaker, Mr. Vaclav HLAVAC, representative of the Czech Presidency and of the Agency for Nature Conservation of the Czech Republic, who started his speech by highlighting two main problems: the collision of flying birds with wires and the electrocution. He then analyzed the solutions on a political level: birds and electrical wires is not a regional but an international problem that needs an international solution and a consequent regulation. We need changes in existing law and a close monitoring by environmental NGOs, he argued. On a technical level, there are different types of electric pools in different countries – there is no unique recommendation for Europe as a whole, but the general policy should be similar.

We need standards to protect birds from collisions and from electrocutions – he added – ‘under-ground‘solution is always preferred to above-ground for middle voltage power line network.

His main conclusions were that the above ground power lines present serious mortality factor for birds which threaten the survival of some species. The problem is not solved satisfactorily in many EU countries. In order to solve it, close cooperation of nature conservation and energetically departments is needed. The problem can be solved by technical directives and standard specifications. International cooperation, mutual data exchange and knowledge on technical and political level is required, he added. Regulations on national and international level are crucial assumption to solve this issue.

The second speaker, Mr. Paulo PAIXAO, from the European Commission, DG Environment, started his speech by analyzing the legal framework for the protection of birds and stressing the fact that not all the measures available are legally binding. The EU Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) of 2006 and the CMS Raptors Memorandum of Understanding and Action Plan, for instance, try to protect birds through their migratory ways. Among the ten (10) key objectives of the BAP, we can find the safeguard of EU’s most important habitats and species, the conservation/restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in wider countryside and the regional and territorial development compatible with biodiversity, he added.

After a first comprehensive assessment of progress at both European Community and Member State level, the main conclusion is: the European Union is highly unlikely to meet its 2010 target of halting biodiversity decline. Intensive efforts will be required over the next two years, both at the level of the EC and of the Member States. EU policies and legislation already provide strong basis to address the biodiversity challenge but they need to be effectively implemented. Priority measures for the coming years are: more action to manage and restore sites in the Natura 2000 network to restore the ecosystem health and services in the wider EU countryside and in freshwater and marine environments. The funding instrument still remains the most controversial issue. In fact, underground power cables are very expensive. The EU budget is to be used by different measures: Life+ actions, to safeguard the EU’s most important habitats and species, to conserve and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services in the wider countryside, to reinforce compatibility of regional and territorial development with biodiversity in the EU (as an example trough the planning and management of Natura 2000 sites, actions to strengthen coherence, connectivity of Natura 2000 network and species action plans. He then gave five (5) examples of best practices in Hungary and Spain, even if there are still many power lines recently built and developed without an environmental impact assessment, he confirmed. Mr. PAIXAO argued that our protected areas are not natural reserves and human activities are there allowed. He concluded by saying that if we think in terms of birds, electrical wires are a threat among other threats and that birds conservation deserves the attention of many different sectors.

The third speaker, Mr. András SCHMIDT, from the Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water, started his speech by talking about conflicts between birds and power lines and some advantages like vantage posts (raptors, Roller), safe breeding sites (White Stork, Saker Falcon). He went through the conservation efforts to solve these conflicts. In a first phase, in 1970s, there were a first insulation on pylons and raised nesting platforms (for White Stork) but funding was very limited and occasional until the EU integration. Monitoring of bird casualties along power lines was first organized on a national scale in 2004. The integration within the EU opened much greater and more reliable (long-term) funding opportunities like LIFE Nature projects and Environment and Energy Operational Programme. Decades of collaboration with electricity suppliers provided a very good basis to joint work in large-scale projects, as well.

An Initiative by Mr. OLAJOS in 2007, as explained by the speaker, brought together in an Agreement (26^th February 2008) the signatures of the Hungarian Ministry of Environment, BirdLife Hungary and all medium-voltage electricity suppliers in Hungary, later joined by national high voltage transmission system operator, the biggest power engineering company and small suppliers (fittings). This agreement continues to provide a framework to co-operation with targets and deadlines to be accomplished by January 2020. The results up to now were consistent: for instance, the amendment of Act on Nature Conservation with the following statement ‘all newly built and fully renewed power lines must be bird-friendly‘. Electricity suppliers have become proactive, co-financing (about 25%) and investing into bird-friendly innovations (e.g. plastic pylon head), he added.

The fourth speaker, Mr. Gergő HALMOS, from BirdLife Hungary, stressed the fact that electrocution of birds on medium-voltage pylons is a worldwide problem and the main cause of raptor mortality in most regions. Precise data were not available in Hungary but he estimated for the extent of the problem with extrapolation (National annual estimation): 250,000 dangerous pylons (30% of the total), 28,400 carcasses, 5,200 000 Euro theoretical conservation value. BirdLife has then developed a special bird protector cross arm cover in 1991 and more than 50,000 pylons were covered countrywide in Hungary. It took twenty (20) years, it is a very slow process (only < 10% of all pylons during eighteen (18) years) and not effective at all pylon types, and especially on recently erected ones, he argued. The nature conservation law has been recently changed (2009) and it forces electric companies, that newly developed or rebuilt power lines to build them in a bird friendly design. Electric companies have in parallel changed internal regulations and bird friendly pylon types are already under development.

BUT: The re-building of the complete power line network needs several decades.

According to Mr. HALMOS, we already know where are the most dangerous conflict areas and how to modify power lines into bird friendly types but we still don’t know who will finance the modifications and how long will it take to reach significant decrease in bird mortality among power lines.

The fifth speaker, Mr. Jean-Paul SAINTE-MARIE, Managing Director of DÉMÁSZ Network Distribution Ltd, highlighted that since the 1970s, in accordance with the EDF Group sustainable development policy, DÉMÁSZ has been working for the preservation of biodiversity and particularly for bird protection. The DÉMÁSZ network is mainly composed by overhead lines (about 90%) that represent some obstacles and dangers but also opportunities for wild protected birds. The first bird protection actions were done for the White Storks and these activities are still going on, he argued. DÉMÁSZ has been dealing with bird protection since the 1970’s, but its activity has been limited to the elevation of stork nests on LV lines until the 1990’s. Since 2006, the company has developed a 300-meter-radius circle around the stork nest so to make MV lines bird-friendly. It is necessary to do it – he stressed – as young birds are clumsy, awkward and unhandy while learning to fly, so they beat their wings in an uncoordinated way, which make them bump into the lines and they got electrocuted. In 2008, the Hungarian Association of Ornithology and Environment Protection asked for DÉMÁSZ assistance as they planned to observe young white storks. Despite these actions linked to the nests’ environment, the electrical network remained with a lot of traps for the protected birds. However, DÉMÁSZ works to find simple and cost effective solutions to avoid these lethal traps, he affirmed.

The sixth and last speaker, Mr. Markus NIPKOW, from NABU – BirdLife International, analyzed the three main types of risks to birds from above-ground power lines: electrocution, collision, especially for migrating birds, and negative impact on staging / wintering areas or protected areas of the NATURA 2000 network. He urged on the use of bird-friendly power pole with suspended insulators and analyzed the legal instruments to protect birds from powerlines. He presented binding legislation as a necessary step towards bird-safety. He explained and stressed the difference between above-ground lines and underground cables, arguing that the first ones are surely cheaper, they have a shorter construction time and the identification and repair of damages is easier but underground cables provide 100% bird protection, they have a higher public acceptance, a lower disturbance of natural scenery, lower electromagnetic radiations and higher weather tolerance in comparison to above-ground lines. Underground cables are indeed cheaper in long-term period in areas where climate change impact is expected. Mr. NIPKOW took the example of the catastrophe in Germany in 2005, where many electrical pylons collapsed because of wet and heavy snow on the electrical wires.  BirdLife International proposed to integrate biodiversity aspects into the electricity grid expansion planning. According to Mr. NIPKOW, we need high quality Environmental Impact Assessment and a strategic planning at a high geographical level, the Strategic Environmental Assessments.

IN CONCLUSION:

„Newly erected power poles and technical hardware have to be constructed to exclude the possibility of bird electrocution. Mitigating measures are to be undertaken on existing power poles and technical hardware in the medium voltage range within the next ten (10) years. (…)“[1]

POWER LINES AND BIRD MORTALITY IN EUROPE

International Conference

13 April 2011

MAVIR (Hungarian Transmission System Operator Company Ltd.),
Conference Hall, Budapest, Hungary

The aim of the Budapest Conference was to advance dialogue and reach agreement between key stakeholders on the need to address the problem of large-scale bird mortality on power lines at the European level.

Mortality on power lines, especially due to electrocution, has been confirmed as one of the main threats for bird species such as Spanish and Eastern Imperial Eagles and others listed in the Birds Directive and the global Red List. Electrocutions can also disrupt electricity supplies, causing economic disruption and requiring costly ‘retrofit’ investments to make power lines safe.

Fortunately, however, the problem can be almost completely eliminated from the outset through well-proven mitigation measures, bringing benefits for birds, grid operators and electricity consumers alike. Large scale ‘bird-safety’ measures and specific local actions are priority conservation actions in many EU bird Species Action Plans. Many grid operators and regulators have also realised the benefits of eliminating electrocution risks, often working with bird conservation organisations to ensure win-win solutions are found.

The Conference was attended by 123 participants of 29 European and Central Asian countries, the European Commission, UNEP-AEWA, six energy and utility companies, experts, businesses and NGOs

Budapest Declaration

on bird protection and power lines

Adopted by the Conference “Power lines and bird mortality in Europe”
(Budapest, Hungary, 13 April, 2011)

Download in PDF

The Conference “Power lines and bird mortality in Europe” (the Conference) was co-organised by MME/BirdLife Hungary, the Ministry of Rural Development of Hungary and BirdLife Europe and was kindly hosted by MAVIR (the Hungarian Transmission System Operator Company Ltd.), as part of the official programme of the Hungarian EU Presidency in 2011. It was attended by 123 participants from 29 European and Central Asian countries, the European Commission, UNEP-AEWA, six energy and utility companies, experts, businesses and NGOs. Following a review of current bird safety on power lines across Europe, and taking stock of progress achieved and future challenges in ensuring implementation of relevant international and national legislation, the participants of the Conference adopted the following Declaration:

We call on the European Institutions (Commission and Parliament) and national governments

• as they formulate, commit to, and pursue an ambitious set of climate, energy and biodiversity conservation targets and strategies to reconcile energy generation, transmission and distribution with the protection of wild birds within and beyond protected areas;
• to maintain high levels of implementation of the EU’s environmental acquis including the Birds and the Habitats Directives and relevant international legislation  through the application at national or regional level of effective legal, administrative, technical or other requisite measures for: 1) minimisation of the negative impacts of power lines on the natural environment and wild birds and 2) ensuring a system of general protection of wild birds, as required by the Birds Directive, and 3) ensuring that such considerations are incorporated in the assessment of investment projects such as the electricity ‘Projects of European Interest’ that will be advanced through the follow-up of the EU’s Energy Infrastructure Package.

We call on all interested parties to jointly undertake a programme of follow up actions leading to effective minimisation of the power line induced bird mortality across the European continent and beyond. Such actions are, for example:

¹CMS (Bonn) Resolution 7.4 (2002) and Bern Recommendation 110 (2004) provide strong recognition and acceptance of the birds and power line problem and the availability of effective solutions

Embargoed: Not for Publication or Broadcast Until After

09.00am GMT, 24 November 2011

UN Wildlife Meeting Pushes to Make Power Lines Safer for Birds

International Reports Address Impact of Power Lines on Migratory Birds, Offering Solutions to Avoid Collisions and Electrocution

Bergen, 24 November 2011 – Two new international reports on the conflict between migratory birds and power lines in the African-Eurasian region are being presented to delegates at a UN wildlife conference taking place 20-25 November 2011 in Bergen, Norway.

The two documents, The Review of the Conflict Between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids in the African-Eurasian Region and the Guidelines on How to Avoid or Mitigate the Impact of Electricity Power Grids on Migratory Birds in the African-Eurasian Region will be reviewed by representatives from close to 100 governments and several key wildlife conservation organizations attending the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an international wildlife treaty administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Power lines constitute one of the major causes of unnatural death for birds both through electrocution and fatal collisions. At end of 2010 there were 70.5 million kilometers of power lines throughout the world, constructed with minimal consideration for their environmental impact. This is expected to increase to 76.2 million kilometers by the end of 2015.

The review shows that in the African-Eurasian region alone, hundreds of thousands of birds die annually from electrocution and tens of millions of birds from collision with power lines. In general, large birds seem to be more affected.

For some large, slow reproducing bird species which migrate across this region, such as pelicans, storks, flamingos, birds of prey, cranes, bustards and owls, the death toll could possibly lead to population declines and/or local or regional extinction.

In South Africa, for example, 12% of Blue Cranes, South Africa’s national bird, and 11-15% of Ludwig’s Bustards are dying annually in collisions with a growing number of power lines.

According to the review, hot spots for electrocution are especially found in open habitats lacking natural perches or nesting trees for the birds, such as steppes, deserts and wetlands.

Bird collisions, on the other hand, occur in every habitat type in the region, with hotspots, for example, located in areas where large numbers of birds congregate, such as near water bodies or in migration corridors.

The international review presents a current overview of the existing research and corrective measures undertaken by some countries and electricity power companies in the region to avoid bird mortality from collisions and electrocutions by power lines.

The guidelines, on the other hand, contain a set of concrete recommendations for governments, electric power companies and conservation organisations on how to avoid and reduce the impact of electricity power grids on birds.

“The international guidelines present a number of appropriate legislative and policy actions and some creative technical measures on how to mitigate and reduce the vast number of unnatural bird mortalities caused by electricity power grids,” said CMS Executive Secretary Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.

While the scope of the study was to review the situation across Europe, parts of Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the measures highlighted in the guidelines can be applied globally.

In northern Europe, for example, all low and medium voltage distribution lines have been placed underground in the Netherlands and similar measures are also being carried out in parts of Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and Norway.

“Our experience from Norway is that there are various measures that can reduce the risks of collision and electrocution, such as the use of underground cables, removal of the top line and route selection, and that they are working,” said Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway.

Other less expensive measures include the installation of state-of-the-art technical solutions for existing structures such as insulation of dangerous electric parts of the lines, the installation of bird-friendly perching and nesting devices as well as the installation of markers or bird flight diverters in overhead wires.

“The relative lack of electrical infrastructure across the African continent to date provides an opportunity to avoid the mistakes made elsewhere when new infrastructure is constructed. In this respect, the guidelines are very timely and can make a significant conservation impact,” said Jon Smallie from the Endangered Wildlife Trust of South-Africa, one of the authors of the guidelines report.

“National authorities, electricity companies and organizations involved in bird conservation and research should use these guidelines as a first step to address the serious problem of bird mortality caused by electrocution and collision and work together to also better plan the locations of future power lines and jointly identify critical locations where existing power lines should be made safer for birds,” said Marco Barbieri, Acting Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), a specialized treaty concluded under CMS.

“In the coming year, the Norwegian Government will spend 30 million kroner to reduce the overall threat on the highly endangered Eurasian Eagle Owl. Power lines pose a significant threat to the owl in Norway,” added Mr. Solheim.

According to the review, electrocution is considered to be the most important mortality factor for the Eagle Owl and possibly the main reason for the decline of the population.

“This may also help to avoid electrocution of other species. We have a high focus on this topic in Norway and our experience is that these measures work but still there is a lot more to do,” said Mr. Solheim.

“Electrocution of birds is not just a conservation issue. It also has economic and financial consequences, as power interruptions and the resulting need for reparations from outages are often caused by bird electrocutions,” said Ms. Mrema.

“The Convention on Migratory Species along with its specialized treaties dedicated to the conservation of birds, such as AEWA and the Raptors’ agreement have an important role to play in bringing the different actors and perspectives together. As the international review and the guidelines show, there are already some lessons learned. But there is also a lot more we can do to address this growing conflict between power lines and birds,” added Ms. Mrema.

The review and guidelines were commissioned by the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat to an international research consortium consisting of Bureau Waardenburg, Boere Conservation Consultancy (both from the Netherlands), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (South-Africa) and STRIX from Portugal.

The international review and the guidelines were made possible through the support from AEWA’s cooperation partner RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice, a company of the German energy supplier RWE. The company has developed a method of fitting preventive “bird-diverters” to high-voltage powerlines in Germany and other European countries using a helicopter as a way to try to reduce the collision of large birds with power lines.

–

Notes to Editors:

CMS COP10 Media Page:

http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/media.htm#4

LINKS TO THE DOCUMENTS:

THE GUIDELINES (Incl. Executive Summary)
http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/doc_30_electrocution_guidlines_e.pdf

THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/docs_and_inf_docs/inf_38_electrocution_review.pdf

LINK TO THE REVIEW & GUIDELINES PROJECT WEBSITE:

http://www.buwa.nl/en/aewareviewproject.html

CMS
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) works for the conservation of a wide array of endangered migratory animals worldwide through the negotiation and implementation of agreements and action plans. CMS is a growing convention with special importance due to its expertise in the field of migratory species. At present, 116 countries are parties to the Convention.

www.cms.int

AEWA

The Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty developed under the auspices of CMS dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds which use the African-Eurasian Flyways. The Agreement covers 255 species of waterbirds, which are ecologically dependent on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. Of the 119 countries found in the AEWA region, so far 64 and the European Union have become Contracting Parties to the Agreement.

www.unep-aewa.org

BIRDS & POWER LINES (taken from the review)

• Most above ground power lines (both medium voltage distribution lines and medium to high voltage transmission lines) present potentially fatal risks for birds through risks of collision with overhead wires and the risk of electrocution.

COLLISION

• A bird collision occurs when a flying bird physically collides with an overhead cable. The bird is typically killed by the impact of the cable, the subsequent impact with the ground, or dies from the resulting injuries.

• Bird collisions occur in every habitat type in the African-Eurasian region, with hotspots amongst others located in areas where large numbers of birds congregate, such as near water bodies or in migration corridors.

• Birds that are disturbed and panicking in the surroundings of power lines have a higher risk of colliding, as are birds that are in pursuit of mates.

• Low visibility due to twilight or weather conditions, or because the wire is too thin to be seen by the birds, creates an even higher risk.

• Bird Migration regularly occurs at higher altitudes, way above the height of the power lines. Therefore, the risk of collision is lower for migrating birds as opposed to local birds. However, the collision risk of migrating birds increases when weather conditions forces them to fly at lower altitudes, for they are less familiar with the landscape and obstacles than local birds.

ELECTROCUTION

• Electrocution of a bird occurs when it bridges the gap between two energized components or an energized and an earthed (grounded) component of the pole structure. This results in a short circuit, with electric current flowing through the bird’s body, and electrocution, which is often accompanied by an outage of the electricity supply.

• Hot spots for electrocution are especially found in open habitats lacking natural perches or nesting trees, such as steppes, deserts and wetlands.

• Electrocution most often occurs with (poorly insulated) medium voltage power lines. The bird or nesting materials bridges the gap between wires of different voltages which creates a short-circuit. It is also known to happen while the bird is only touching one line.

• Electrocution of birds is not just a conservation issue; it also has economic and financial consequences. Power interruptions and the need for reparations are often the result of bird electrocution.

MEASURES

• It is relatively easy to minimize these negative impacts from power lines on birds. The CMS / AEWA guidelines report presents a broad suit of solutions and recommendations.

• The most effective measure to eliminate the possibility of both electrocution and collision is underground cabling. This has already been done in the Netherlands and in certain critical locations in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and Germany. This method is very costly and therefore not feasible for the whole African-Eurasian region.

• Another obvious way in which to prevent bird electrocutions and collisions is minimizing the construction of new power lines, through efficient network planning and dispersed power generators.

• Routing new power lines away from areas that are home to, or attract, bird species that are known to be susceptible to electrocution and collision, also taking into account landscape and vegetation features.

• Designing the location, route and direction of power lines on the basis of national zoning maps, avoiding, where possible, the construction in habitats of conservation importance, such as important bird areas, protected areas, Ramsar sites and other critical sites as identified by the Critical Site Network (CSN) Tool: http://csntool.wingsoverwetlands.org/csn/default.html

• The guidelines include many other technical measures for both electrocution and collision. These include insulation measures, line design or configuration, perch management techniques and a range of power line marking devices including spheres, swinging plates, bird flappers and others which make lines more visible to birds. The review also includes a summary assessment of the efficiency of such marking devices, sighting ongoing research in different countries, with some concluding that wire marking reduced bird mortality by 50-80%.

RELATED SIDE EVENT AT CMS COP10

A side event on the topic “Challenges in mitigating bird electrocution” (open to the press) will be taking place at the Venue of CMS COP10 at the Scandic Hotel Room Hødden on Thursday, 24 November 2011 between 1800-2000 hrs. The event will be chaired by Ms Heidi Sørensen – State Secretary for the Ministry of the Environment of Norway and is being organised by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research/CEDREN in partnership with RWE Rhein Ruhr Netzservice GmbH and NABU (BirdLife Germany). http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop10/media/side_events/side_event_powerlines_24nov2011.pdf

OPTIPOL ”Optimal design and routing of power lines; ecological, technical and economic perspectives” www.nina.no/Publikasjoner/Publication.aspx?pubid=5428

Contact:

Florian Keil, Information Officer, UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, tel: +49 228 815 2451 or mobile: +49 (0)151 14701633, or +47  46 86 15 44 (while in Bergen), e-mail: florian.keil@unep.org

Veronika Lenarz, Public Information, UNEP/CMS Secretariat, tel: +47  46 86 15 44 (while in Bergen), e-mail: vlenarz@cms.int

Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson and Head of Media, tel:  +41 795 965 737 or +254 733 632 755 or e-mail nick.nuttall@unep.org

This A4- sized 535-page volume, written by the legendary zoologist and historian CJ Skead and published by the Centre for African Conservation Ecology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, is titled Historical Incidence of the Larger Land Mammals in the broader Western and Northern Cape.

The book contains a brief review of the mammal position when the first European visitors and settlers arrived at the Cape, as well as descriptions of the nature of the veld in the area in question, based on the contents of the diaries and journals of these hardy pioneers. The main part of the book comprises a fully revised account of the known historical distribution records for a wide range of mammal species, usually according to a number of defined geographical regions.

The majority of the records relate to the larger game species, and particularly to those which were relatively easily identified and seen by the early observers. Maps showing the distribution of the historical records are presented for 44 species, and for these species and certain others a useful interpretation of their historical distribution records is provided.

One chapter provides a review of the patterns and trends in the status of the larger mammals, and it identifies those species that went extinct in, or that were exterminated from, the area. It mentions (exterminated) species that have since been re-introduced to this area, and it incorporates comments on the dynamic status of those species that were not exterminated.

In addition, the impact of humans on the larger mammals is briefly reviewed.

A final chapter lists and provides comments on alien (non-indigenous) larger mammal species that have been introduced in the area in question, or into parts of it. Importantly, it provides information and discussion on the known and potential ecological consequences or impacts of introduced species.

This book, which is a companion to the volume titled Historical Incidence of the Larger Land Mammals in the broader Eastern Cape, also authored by CJ Skead, and published in 2007, is an important source of information for a wide range of users, especially environmental historians, state conservation planners and managers, owners of private game reserves and game farmers, eco-tourism operators and EIA practitioners, and also national and provincial government departments responsible for compiling and implementing biodiversity policies and guidelines.

Both books can be ordered from the Centre for African Conservation Ecology at ace@nmmu.ac.za or 041 504 2316 (tel) and 041 504 2946 (fax).

Distribution of animals in the Great Karoo