Projects
Studies focussing on the impact of wind farms on bird and bat migration on the island of Fehmarn
Client: Fehmarn-Netz GmbH & Co. OHG
Project duration: from 2009, anticipated for 2-3 years
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Due to its exposed position in the Baltic Sea, the island of Fehmarn functions as a corridor for migrating Scandinavian breeding birds moving along the so-called ‘Vogelfluglinie'. Estimates state that more than 100 million birds traverse Fehmarn every year. In the context of new target values for wind energy utilisation released by the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the development of wind energy at Fehmarn is critically discussed. The points for discussion are interference caused by barrier effects and suspected collision losses for migrating and resting birds.
The working group BioConsult-SH and ARSU GmbH has started a study on the impacts of wind farms on bird and bat migration. ARSU could also gain a further partner via the office for ecological expertise of Klaus Handke in Ganderkesee.
Basic questions concerning the conflict potential of wind energy utilisation shall be answered with different investigation methods in general, as well as with specific projects on the island. This includes analysis of the possible impacts of existing wind farms on the one hand, and the consideration of potential expansion areas and taller wind farms on the other.
Therefore, the project partners have developed an investigation concept which is compiled as follows:
- Radar Project: By the changing the use of two different vertical radars at four places on the island, information about the distribution of migration intensity will be collected in different flying altitudes up to a height of 1.6 km. The project focusses on nocturnal bird migration but data is also collected during daylight.
- Daylight Migration Project: By the simultaneous operation of five observers distributed over the island, information about the intensity and height of visible bird migration will be collected. The main focus is put on detecting the migration of birds of prey, which almost entirely takes place by day.
- Resting Birds Project: Resting birds and foraging birds are detected weekly on two-thirds of the agricultural land on Fehmarn. The project focusses on waders and water birds.
- Collision Victims Project: A methodical, standardised search is conducted for birds and bats involved in accidents during autumn migration at selected wind farm locations.
- Bats Project: In selected areas with wind farms, as well as in areas free of wind farms, bat registration instruments (ultrasonic transducer with a memory unit and a timer) are installed to collect information about the intensity of bat migration.
