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wind turbines are a "green killer"

by , Posted to on 06/06/2011 5:15 PM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/27/2004
Location: ND

The green killer: Scores of protected golden eagles dying after colliding with wind turbines

By David Gardner

Last updated at 10:16 PM on 6th June 2011


 

California's attempts to switch to green energy have inadvertently put the survival of the state’s golden eagles at risk.

Scores of the protected birds have been dying each year after colliding with the blades of about 5,000 wind turbines.

Now the drive for renewable power sources, such as wind and the sun, being promoted by President Obama and state Governor Jerry Brown has raised fears that the number of newborn golden eagles may not be able to keep pace with the number of turbine fatalities.

 
Not eagle friendly: Scores of Golden Eagles have been dying each year after colliding with the blades of about 5,000 wind turbines

Not eagle friendly: Scores of Golden Eagles have been dying each year after colliding with the blades of about 5,000 wind turbines

The death count along the ridgelines of the Bay Area’s Altamount Pass Wind Resource Area has averaged 67 a year for three decades.

The 200ft high turbines, which have been operating since the 1980s, lie in the heart of the grassy canyons that are home to one of the highest densities of nesting golden eagles in the US.

‘It would take 167 pairs of local nesting golden eagles to produce enough young to compensate for their mortality rate related to wind energy production,’ field biologist Doug Bell, manager of East Bay Regional Park District's wildlife programme, told the Los Angeles Times. ‘We only have 60 pairs,’ he added.

 
Grand scale: The death count along the ridgelines of the Bay Area's Altamount Pass Wind Resource Area has averaged 67 a year for three decades

Grand scale: The death count along the ridgelines of the Bay Area's Altamount Pass Wind Resource Area has averaged 67 a year for three decades

 

 
Field biologists, monitoring the birds, say it would take 167 pairs of local nesting eagles to produce enough young to compensate for the loses. Currently they only have 60 pairs
Field biologists, monitoring the birds, say it would take 167 pairs of local nesting eagles to produce enough young to compensate for the loses. Currently they only have 60 pairs
 

Field biologists, monitoring the birds, say it would take 167 pairs of local nesting eagles to produce enough young to compensate for the loses. Currently they only have 60 pairs

 

Nationwide, about 440,000 birds are said to be accidentally killed at wind farms each year, as well as thousands more bats. With the government pushing for more wind energy farms, that statistic is likely to rise.

Another recovering species, the California Condor, is also said to be at risk from the giant blades.

‘We taxpayers have spent millions of dollars saving the California condor from extinction,’ Gary George, spokesman for Audubon California, told the Times.

 
 
Wind power, which is being promoted by President Obama, right, and California state Governor, Jerry Brown, left, has raised fears about the number of newborn golden eagles who may not keep up with the number of turbine fatalities
Wind power, which is being promoted by President Obama, right, and California state Governor, Jerry Brown, left, has raised fears about the number of newborn golden eagles who may not keep up with the number of turbine fatalities
 

Wind power, which is being promoted by President Obama, right, and California state Governor, Jerry Brown, left, has raised fears about golden eagles

‘How's the public going to feel about wind energy if a condor hits the turbines?’

Newer carbines are said to be less harmful to birds and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has asked power bosses to turn off the wind machines during times of heavy bird migration.

But the moves have done little to protect the golden eagles, which weigh about 14 pounds and stand up to 409 inches tall.

Their flight behaviour makes it difficult for them to navigate through masses of wind turbine towers, especially when they are easily distracted by prey on the ground.

‘The eagles usually die of blunt-force trauma injuries,’ said Mr Bell.

‘Once, I discovered a wounded golden eagle hobbling through tall grass, about a quarter mile from the turbine blades that had clipped its flight feathers.’

‘A wind farm owner once told me that if there were no witnesses, it would be impossible to prove a bird had been killed by a wind turbine blade.

My response was this: If you see a golden eagle sliced in half in a wind farm, what other explanation is there?’ he added.

 
 
"The only enemy of guns is rust and politicians."
“You can roll manure in powered sugar but it still ain’t a jelly donut”

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Unarmed helplessness is for sheep and the French."  Ted Nugent



Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 5:11 PM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/27/2004
Location: ND
I've watched hawks/eagles(not sure which) east of Wilton do some ducking and diving a few times.  
"The only enemy of guns is rust and politicians."
“You can roll manure in powered sugar but it still ain’t a jelly donut”

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Unarmed helplessness is for sheep and the French."  Ted Nugent



Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 5:13 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 09/11/2002
Location: ND
3XGutshot Said:
I've watched hawks and eagles east of Wilton do some ducking and diving a few times.  


I wonder why?

I say to hell with that pot o' gold.

Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 5:28 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 08/12/2003
Location: ND
3XGutshot Said:

But the moves have done little to protect the golden eagles, which weigh about 14 pounds and stand up to 409 inches tall.

The California Golden Eagles must be much taller and skinnier than the ones we have around here.  409" or 34' tall is a big damned bird, I'm surprised they only weigh 14#.
..............THIS SPACE FOR RENT..............
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 5:53 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/27/2004
Location: ND
Horsager Said:
3XGutshot Said:

But the moves have done little to protect the golden eagles, which weigh about 14 pounds and stand up to 409 inches tall.

The California Golden Eagles must be much taller and skinnier than the ones we have around here.  409" or 34' tall is a big damned bird, I'm surprised they only weigh 14#.
lean and mean I guess

"The only enemy of guns is rust and politicians."
“You can roll manure in powered sugar but it still ain’t a jelly donut”

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Unarmed helplessness is for sheep and the French."  Ted Nugent



Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 5:54 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/27/2004
Location: ND
ggenthusiast Said:
3XGutshot Said:
I've watched hawks and eagles east of Wilton do some ducking and diving a few times.  


I wonder why?
non-toxic shot maybe?

"The only enemy of guns is rust and politicians."
“You can roll manure in powered sugar but it still ain’t a jelly donut”

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Unarmed helplessness is for sheep and the French."  Ted Nugent



Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 6:55 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/04/2002
Location: ND
Horsager Said:
The California Golden Eagles must be much taller and skinnier than the ones we have around here.  409" or 34' tall is a big damned bird, I'm surprised they only weigh 14#.
Whoever did the measuring must have been drinking the same swill as they did on Young Guns.   "You see the size of that chicken?"

You can't aim a duck to death.

Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 7:10 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/04/2009
Location: ND
F ing BUNNY HUGGERS.Should be a bounty on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KENNYBOB IS BACK!!!
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 7:26 PM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 08/22/2007
Location: ND
If hundreds of birds were crashing into the blade we would have dead birds as proof.

No such proof,

Guy on KFYR was talking about this was from Texas and he said its just a bunch of sheet lefty stuff.

damn if it clipped its wings those blade were moving faster than a fan...........OK

 

Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 8:17 PM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/09/2007
Location: ND
Hmm, i'm shocked that a story like this comes out of California!  
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 8:40 PM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/19/2009
Location: nd
i have heard that large wind farms have been thought to disrupt the flight patterns of geese as well.
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/06/2011 9:52 PM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/28/2007
Location: ND
I find it all a little bit hard to believe.  If that many dead golden eagles were being found the greenazi's would be parading them all around the country.  Somebody should ask the guys at Verendrye electric in  Minot if they've ever found a dead bird under the two original towers south of Minot.  Bet they haven't.  But I have to wonder what their motive's are on this.  They are the ones that wanted the turbines in the first place. 
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 08:04 AM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/04/2009
Location: ND
Bottom line is wind and solar enery are what,we have.We cannot, take farm land to create enery in a starveing world,so ethanol, and bio- diesal are out.Eventually all the fossile fuels will be used(in about 100 yrs.).By than big oil will have controllof wind and solar power,and stop fighting it.It all comes down to controll and BIG BUCKS.
KENNYBOB IS BACK!!!
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 08:16 AM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/12/2003
Location: ND
I will put my money on Mother Nature to adapt any animal to change.  They will either move or at least learn to avoid them.  Darwinism rules.  If they don't and do die off, well I guess that is a form of Darwinism too..

Now, I'm a big fan of green energy, but I do also fear the affects of such large wind farms on migration patterns (be it only a few miles mind you).  If a bird(s) in ND does get killed by one of our turbines, do you really think it would just lay there for days?  I mean they don't go check them daily and or cover more than perhaps driving down the access road and reading some gauges.  I would think more than 48 hours is unheard of, simply do to the number of carnivores in our State.

Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 08:35 AM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/27/2004
Location: ND
kkollman Said:
Bottom line is wind and solar enery are what,we have.We cannot, take farm land to create enery in a starveing world,so ethanol, and bio- diesal are out.Eventually all the fossile fuels will be used(in about 100 yrs.).By than big oil will have controllof wind and solar power,and stop fighting it.It all comes down to controll and BIG BUCKS.
Wrong.   It all comes down to what is economically feasible in the FREE MARKET.
Wind, solar, ethanol, and biodiesel are not feasible at this time.

"The only enemy of guns is rust and politicians."
“You can roll manure in powered sugar but it still ain’t a jelly donut”

"The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."

William F. Buckley, Jr.
"Unarmed helplessness is for sheep and the French."  Ted Nugent



Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 09:14 AM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/03/2004
Location: ND
If only we could figure out fusion!!! Maybe they could put big cages around the blades like my fan at home has, to keep the birds out....
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 09:41 AM | Reply #16 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/26/2010
Location: nd
rugeruser Said:
Hmm, i'm shocked that a story like this comes out of California!  
That was my first thought. 

eyexer Said:
I find it all a little bit hard to believe.  If that many dead golden eagles were being found the greenazi's would be parading them all around the country.  Somebody should ask the guys at Verendrye electric in  Minot if they've ever found a dead bird under the two original towers south of Minot.  Bet they haven't.  But I have to wonder what their motive's are on this.  They are the ones that wanted the turbines in the first place. 
I really can't believe this story is generated from California media.  Eyexer is right on.  Cali is generally a very liberal state, especially in the media sector.  They're the ones that push for "green" energy. 

I"m sure a few collisions happen, but I would never have guessed it happens often. 

Seaofgreen, you have a lot of faith.  I don't know how much any wildlife is affected by them, but I'm not sure every change we throw at them is adaptable.  If it was, we woudn't still have birds flying into the powerlines on the 83 embankment daily.   Deer would quit running out in front of vehicles.  etc etc  

Live hard! Die happy!
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 11:52 AM | Reply #17 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/28/2007
Location: ND
fisherman25 Said:
rugeruser Said:
Hmm, i'm shocked that a story like this comes out of California!  
That was my first thought. 

eyexer Said:
I find it all a little bit hard to believe.  If that many dead golden eagles were being found the greenazi's would be parading them all around the country.  Somebody should ask the guys at Verendrye electric in  Minot if they've ever found a dead bird under the two original towers south of Minot.  Bet they haven't.  But I have to wonder what their motive's are on this.  They are the ones that wanted the turbines in the first place. 
I really can't believe this story is generated from California media.  Eyexer is right on.  Cali is generally a very liberal state, especially in the media sector.  They're the ones that push for "green" energy. 

I"m sure a few collisions happen, but I would never have guessed it happens often. 

Seaofgreen, you have a lot of faith.  I don't know how much any wildlife is affected by them, but I'm not sure every change we throw at them is adaptable.  If it was, we woudn't still have birds flying into the powerlines on the 83 embankment daily.   Deer would quit running out in front of vehicles.  etc etc  


your right.  some things wildlife adapt to quite well, some things not.  One good example of adaptation is the large animals in Alaska cuddling up to the alaska pipeline to keep warm in the winter.  But your examples of lack of adapting are true also.  It is what it is.  But I don't buy the birds being killed at an alarming rate flying into the turbins.  There's something to that story that's missing.  My first inclination is follow the money.  That is usually the source to most things of this nature.
Re: wind turbines are a "green killer"
by on 06/07/2011 1:47 PM | Reply #18 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/10/2009
Location: nd
I work on a wind farm in ND. Every once awhile we find birds maybe 3 to 5 a year and they are either ducks or pheasants. Mainly when its foggy or crappy out. On a sun shining day the chance of any bird getting hit by a blade is very slim. And it took awhile for the deer and everything else to come back. (all other sub contractors had left finally). No eagles yet but for us to see a eagle is rare down by us too.
whitetails-25
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Posted On: 06/06/2011 5:15 PM
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Tags: wind, eagles, golden, turbines, killer, california, scores, colliding, dying, protected
More Tags: Doug Bell, Person Communication and Meetings, Extinction, California, Audubon California, Los Angeles Times, the Times, United States, energy production, wind energy, wind energy farms, energy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gary George, Obama, Jerry Brown, field biologist, Governor, spokesman, President, manager of East Bay Regional Park District, manager of East Bay Regional Park District's wildlife programme, the Times, the Los Angeles Times, EnvironmentHuman Interest
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Other > Politics
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