Wind and Wildlife: Proceedings from the Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts, October 2012, Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

This book gathers papers presented and discussions held at the Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts in Melbourne, Australia on 9th October 2012. The purpose of the conference was to bring together researchers, industry, consultants, regulators and Non-Government Organizations to share the results of studies into wind farm and wildlife investigations in Australia and New Zealand. The aim was to further networking and communication between these groups. The conference discussed key issues and areas for future investigation, with the intention of developing consistencies in research and management. Like the Conference, the book showcases current research and management in the field of wind farms and wildlife in Australia and New Zealand; establishes consistencies in research and management; and highlights areas in need of further examination. The papers in these Proceedings are presented in two session topics. The first covers “Investigations and assessment of new wind farms” and the second, “Monitoring, mitigation and offsets.”

The Proceedings then summarize the panel discussions held at the end of the conference. The themes include improving pre- and post-construction survey design; identifying key knowledge gaps and research priorities; uncertainties and errors in data sets and analysis; creating opportunities to share knowledge; and assessing cumulative impacts across multiple sites.

Contents

Section 1: Investigations and Assessments of New Wind Farms

  1. Predicting the Weather-Dependent Collision Risk for Birds at Wind Farms (Henrik Skov, Stefan Heinänen) - Pages 3-21
  2. Fauna Collisions with Wind Turbines: Effects and Impacts, Individuals and Populations. What Are We Trying to Assess? (Ian Smales) - Pages 23-40
  3. Wind Farms and Biodiversity: Improving Environmental Risk Assessments (I. K. G. Boothroyd, L. P. Barea) - Pages 41-58
  4. The Use of Aerial Surveys for the Detection of the Brolga Grus rubicunda Through South-West Victoria: Key Considerations for the Wind Industry (David Wilson, Aaron Organ) - Pages 59-68
  5. Planning for Net Biodiversity Gains: A Case Study of Hauāuru mā raki Wind Farm, New Zealand (John L. Craig, Gerry Kessels, Peter Langlands, Stephen Daysh) - Pages 69-91

Section 2: Monitoring, Mitigation and Offsets

  1. Results and Analysis of Eagle Studies from the Bluff Point and Studland Bay Wind Farms 2002–2012 (Cindy Hull, Chris Sims, Elizabeth Stark, Stuart Muir) - Pages 95-111
  2. Observations from the Use of Dogs to Undertake Carcass Searches at Wind Facilities in Australia (Emma Bennett) - Pages 113-123
  3. Key Learnings from Ten Years of Monitoring and Management Interventions at the Bluff Point and Studland Bay Wind Farms: Results of a Review (Chris Sims, Cindy Hull, Elizabeth Stark, Robert Barbour) - Pages 125-144