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Bat
fatalities have recently become an issue in the wind power industry
because fatalities have been documented at wind power sites where
post-construction bird studies have been conducted.
Because
of these fatalities, various wildlife agencies and environmental
organizations have become interested in determining whether a
problem exists.
Bat
fatalities have been studied at nearly the same number of wind
power facilities as have bird fatalities. Data are now available
from more than a dozen wind plants across the U.S.
Here's
what we know about this issue:
- The
numbers of bats involved are small at most wind plants, although
in Minnesota and Wyoming moderate numbers have been found.
- Many
of the bats involved in collisions with wind turbines were apparently
migrating.
- About
seven species of bats have been documented to collide with wind
turbines.
- Bats
involved are primarily common, tree-dwelling bats with widespread
geographic distributions.
- Endangered
or threatened species have not been involved.
- Population
impacts seem unlikely.
- Bat
fatalities have not emerged as a significant issue at wind plants
in Europe.
- Migrating
bats may turn off their “sonar” causing them to fly
into towers.
- Small
numbers of bats also collide with communication
towers.
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