Researchers Reveal Hot Spots for Eagles and Turbines

[Cara J]

The first large-scale study on golden eagle nesting sites and wind energy development in Wyoming has revealed potential areas for wind-power sites that avoid the eagles’ nesting sweet spots. Researchers Brad Fedy, an ecology professor at the University of Waterloo, and Jason Tack, a PhD student at Colorado State University and lead author of the study developed habitat selection models of nesting sites for the birds across the state. Then, they compared the nesting models with areas for wind potential, noting sites of potential conflict and benefits. “In some areas, wind turbines and golden eagles don’t get along very well,” said Fedy, who is also a member of The Wildlife Society. “Adult survival is the key life stage for golden eagles. Adults being killed can have impacts on the population.” As part of their research published in PLOS ONE, Tack first collected a large amount of nest location data from agencies in Wyoming. After collecting about 11,000 records of golden eagle nests, Tack narrowed down the number of nest sites to study to 1,000. Then, the researchers recorded if there was high wind potential or low wind potential at these sites. The best potential spots for wind-power sites were the [...]

 

Read more: http://wildlife.org/researchers-reveal-hot-spots-for-eagles-and-turbines/