Wildlife and wind farms: Are British gulls staying safe in the winter sun?

10 Sep 2019 | No. 2019-26

New research by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology, shows that Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding in Britain could be vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines whilst on migration and during the winter months, as well as during the breeding season.

There are now estimated to be more than 341,000 wind turbines installed and spinning on the planet as part of global initiatives to tackle carbon emissions. It is important to understand how these structures might affect wildlife. In this study, BTO researchers fitted state-of-the art GPS tags to Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding at three major UK colonies in order to track their movements throughout the year. By combining the data from the tags with information on wind turbine locations they were able to establish how vulnerable this species might be to collisions.

The GPS devices recorded how fast and how high birds fly, as well as the time birds spent in particular areas. This information was used to estimate the risk of birds colliding with wind turbines when flying at altitudes swept by the turbines’ blades. The results showed that Lesser Black-backed Gulls are vulnerable during the breeding season, when birds are tied to feeding areas close to their colonies, many of which are also in the vicinity of wind farms. Furthermore, the scientists also found the birds to be at risk once the breeding season is over and they disperse south to Spain, Portugal and north Africa, where they overwinter.

Dr Chris Thaxter, Senior Research Ecologist at the BTO and the paper’s lead author, said “We knew that Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at risk of colliding with wind turbines, but what we didn’t know was where and when birds from specific breeding colonies may be most vulnerable across their annual life cycle. The fact that we have been able to answer some of these questions is testimony to the advances in tracking technology we have seen in recent years. Mapping vulnerability to collision risk in this way can also help identify where may be best to site new wind farms in the future to minimise any harm to wildlife.”

Dr Viola Ross-Smith, co-author on the paper and Science Communications Manager at the BTO, said “We were surprised to see how vulnerable Lesser Black-backed Gulls could be to collision at some of their wintering destinations, such as Lisbon and Malaga, as well as when they were on migration. Galicia in northern Spain stood out as a spot where birds were vulnerable. This region contains a high density of wind turbines and is an important stopping over site for Lesser Black-backed Gulls, as well as for many other migratory bird species.”

The UK is a global stronghold for breeding Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Although this species can be unpopular with Brits during the summer months due to the proclivity of some individuals to steal chips and nest on rooftops, it is Amber-listed in the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern and is protected by law. Studies like this show how important it is to consider factors across an animal’s annual cycle, at home and abroad, in protecting and conserving birds and other species.

For access to the full paper, please follow this link
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13488

Contact Details
Viola Ross-Smith
(BTO Science Communications Manager)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5:30pm Mon-Thurs), (9am to 5pm Friday)
Email: press [at] bto.org ()

Paul Stancliffe
(BTO Media Manager)
Office: 01842 750050
(9am to 5:30pm Mon-Thurs), (9am to 5pm Friday)
Mobile: 07585 440910
Email: press [at] bto.org ()

Images are available for use alongside this News Release, September 2019-26, by emailing press [at] bto.org

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Notes to editors

1. The BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 120 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Bangor (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. The BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations. www.bto.org 
 

2. This study was funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment research programme, and the Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment (MaREE) project (funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Scottish Funding Council), in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and Environmental Research Institute (University of the Highlands and Islands). The authors thank John Hartley (Hartley Anderson) and all at DBEIS for support, and further thank the National Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Natural Resources Wales, APEM Ltd, RSPB and Natural England for permissions, help with fieldwork and discussion. 


3. 3. The paper is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology with the following citation: Thaxter, C.B., Ross-Smith, V.H., Bouten, W., Clark, N.A., Conway, G.J., Masden, E.A., Clewley, G.D., Barber, L.J. & Burton, N.H.K. Avian Vulnerability to Wind Farm Collision Through the Year: Insights from Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) Tracked from Multiple Breeding Colonies. It can be accessed via this link from 05:00 hours BST on Tuesday 10 September 2019: https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.13488

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