If you follow bird conservation, particularly out West, you have undoubtedly heard about the controversy involving bird deaths due to wind power turbines. There certainly isn’t room in this post to discuss the issue at length, but we do want to highlight it as an important consideration related to spring migration. According to most research, as many as 70 percent of all birds killed by wind turbines are during spring and fall migration. Typically, the conversation about birds and wind power centers around the raptors –majestic eagles, hawks, kestrels and hopefully never the California Condor. What is left out is the large number of songbirds impacted by wind power. (photo of Townsend's Warbler by Peter LaTourrette)

Why do we hear so little about these songbirds? The reasons are many. Because they’re so much smaller, there is typically very little left for survey teams to find after a collision. What is left of the bird is typically thrown further from the turbine, and the remains are often scavenged by a predator before the next survey.

“With the larger raptors, it’s easier to gather data on turbine collisions,” says Garry George, who represents Audubon California on alternative energy issues. “In many instances, the songbirds aren’t listed species, and we haven’t been able to determine the population impacts. But the loss is certainly great as wind energy grows exponentially.”

George adds that he has long advocated for stronger data collection – using sophisticated radar – at wind sites before they are constructed to get a better handle on what the numbers are and plan whether a site should be avoided or operational changes should be adopted to avoid or minimize mortality. Newer radar unit experiments are ongoing inTexasto detect incoming fallouts of migratory songbirds and automatically shut down or curtail the turbines. New turbine designs – with much smaller, protected rotor areas and – also look promising.

George is veteran of the early legal battles between Audubon chapters and wind and solar companies over energy development in sensitive habitat areas. His expertise comes in handy in the many instances where Audubon is called upon to review wind development proposals in bird habitat areas. He currently sits on a special panel created by the state of California to complete a long-term plan for the deserts that will help site alternative energy development in ways that avoid sensitive bird and wildlife habitat. He also represents Audubon on a federal panel seeking to reduce wind impacts in the Tehachapi Mountains.

“Climate change will have a devastating effect on birds, and if we want to reverse that we have to get off oil,” says George. “But as we rush into alternative energy, we need to make sure we do it right. If we’re smart about it, we won’t have to choose between alternative energy and wildlife protection.”