Avian Monitoring and Risk Assessment at the Tehachapi Pass Wind Resource Area; Period of Performance: October 2, 1996--May 27, 1998

Authors:
  • RAR. Anderson
    R. Anderson
  • NNN. Neumann
    N. Neumann
  • JTJ. Tom
    J. Tom
  • WEW. P. Erickson
    W. P. Erickson
  • MSM. D. Strickland
    M. D. Strickland
  • MBM. Bourassa
    M. Bourassa
  • KBK. J. Bay
    K. J. Bay
  • KSK. J. Sernka
    K. J. Sernka
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Abstract
Observations of dead raptors at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area triggered concerns on the parts of regulatory agencies, environmental/conservation groups, wildlife resource agencies, and wind and electric utility industries about possible impacts to birds from wind energy development. Bird fatality rates observed at most wind projects are not currently considered significant to individual bird species populations. Although many bird species have observed fatalities, raptors have received the most attention. The primary objective of this study was to estimate and compare bird utilization, fatality rates, and collision risk indices among factors such as bird taxonomic groups, turbine types, and turbine locations within the operating wind plant in the Tehachapi Pass WRA, in south-central California between October 1996 and May 1998.