Gannets Avoid Offshore Wind Turbines

The birds avoid wind farms in order to prevent coliding with the turbines.

Official Press Release APEM:

Wind farms are safer for gannets than thought

Research recently released by scientists at APEM suggests that four times fewer Northern gannets collide with wind turbines than previously thought, in research gathered during aerial surveys using a world leading survey camera. The study, carried out on behalf of developers Vattenfall and Scottish Power Renewables, surveyed an offshore wind farm off the coast of England.

Utilising APEM’s Vulcanair Observer twin-engine aircraft, the survey collected extremely high-resolution digital images using the Shearwater II, a state-of-the-art camera system developed by APEM. A total of four aerial surveys took place, with the aircraft flying at over 300m to avoid the risk of disturbing the birds, therefore generating more reliable information on the movement of birds... ... More: Official Press Release APEM