<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Flight observations and carcass searches were carried out along distribution power lines in Slovakia. 77 km of 22 kV and 110 kV lines were marked on a total of 108 sections to evaluate the effectiveness of three types of bird flight diverters (FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter and SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter) designed to increase power line visibility. Numbers of carcasses were compared before and after installation of the devices and reaction distances on marked power lines were surveyed. We observed a 93.5% reduction (93 vs. 6) in the number of fatalities under the marked power lines after line marking (06/2016–06/2019) compared to the period before installation (12/2014–02/2016). 2,296 flight reactions were observed and an estimated total of 41,885 individuals (57 bird species belonging to 13 orders) were recorded with their reactions to marked lines in the period 06/2016–06/2019. After installation of bird diverters, there was a low proportion of flight distance observations at the closest distance, i.e. up to 5 m, indicating that birds reacted further away from marked lines. Although we lack flight observations for the period before the installation of diverters, the reactions of birds at greater distances and reduced number of bird victims under marked lines indicate that all tested diverters have a positive effect on reducing the number of avian collisions with power lines.</p></abstract>

Flight observations and carcass searches were carried out along distribution power lines in Slovakia. 77 km of 22 kV and 110 kV lines were marked on a total of 108 sections to evaluate the effectiveness of three types of bird flight diverters (FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter and SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter) designed to increase power line visibility. Numbers of carcasses were compared before and after installation of the devices and reaction distances on marked power lines were surveyed. We observed a 93.5% reduction (93 vs. 6) in the number of fatalities under the marked power lines after line marking (06/2016–06/2019) compared to the period before installation (12/2014–02/2016). 2,296 flight reactions were observed and an estimated total of 41,885 individuals (57 bird species belonging to 13 orders) were recorded with their reactions to marked lines in the period 06/2016–06/2019. After installation of bird diverters, there was a low proportion of flight distance observations at the closest distance, i.e. up to 5 m, indicating that birds reacted further away from marked lines. Although we lack flight observations for the period before the installation of diverters, the reactions of birds at greater distances and reduced number of bird victims under marked lines indicate that all tested diverters have a positive effect on reducing the number of avian collisions with power lines.

Monitoring of effectiveness of bird flight diverters in preventing bird mortality from powerline collisions in Slovakia

Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences

Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

Raptor Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Flight observations and carcass searches were carried out along distribution power lines in Slovakia. 77 km of 22 kV and 110 kV lines were marked on a total of...

Monitoring of effectiveness of bird flight diverters in preventing bird mortality from powerline collisions in Slovakia

Published Online: Feb 20, 2020

Page range: 45 - 59

Received: Oct 02, 2019

Accepted: Dec 20, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/srj-2019-0005

Keywords
avian collisions, FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter, SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter, mitigation measures

© 2019 Marek Gális et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Monitoring of effectiveness of bird flight diverters in preventing bird mortality from powerline collisions in Slovakia

Published Online: Feb 20, 2020

Page range: 45 - 59

Received: Oct 02, 2019

Accepted: Dec 20, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/srj-2019-0005

Keywordsavian collisions, FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter, SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter, mitigation measures

© 2019 Marek Gális et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
avian collisions, FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter, SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter, mitigation measures