2007-02-07 21:39:22 · 4 answers · asked by Vlad Cioflec 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Yup - these answers are correct.
Bird strike is very rare - we give too little credit to birds, these are pretty obvious machines that are hard to miss and compared to other human mechanical/engineering projects there is no significant loss.
Also, look at where the windfarms are situated. Usually in high moorland or off shore. Birds are not nesting in these areas (unless they are on the ground in moors) - so being in the same area as the blades is very rare.
Another complaint has been raised against the offshore farm being developed off the coast of Kent. Apparently there is a risk to shipping in the area. Apart from the fact that the wind farm is to be situated on a huge sand bank that no ships can venture near too, it would have to be a pretty negligent captain to miss the sight of 20-50 very large turbines!
2007-02-07 23:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by djessellis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a common argument used against wind turbines. I think that the evidence is that not many get killed.
Many birds are killed by flying into glass covered buildings but nobody makes a fuss about that.
Huge numbers of birds are killed by moving cars but who is making a fuss about that?
I'd suggest that if anybody complains about it then I'd say tell them to sort out the bigger problem first. First limit road vehicles to 30MPH. This will reduce bird strikes and save lots of other animals like armadillos, squirrels, foxes etc. etc. including a few humans too. Then tackle the smaller problems.
2007-02-08 05:48:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
tricky completely fails to mention that it is NOT nesting birds that are typically killed by wind turbines, it is migrating birds and raptors. Here in the US the wind turbines are right smack in the middle of great bird habitat. Yes, birds are also killed by othe man made objects such as radio, and cell phone towers, high rise buildings etc. But....yes many birds are lost worldwide to wind turbines...which are now becoming a hazard to bats as well. All of these man-made objects should be addressed when managing for bird species.
2007-02-08 22:17:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Seen", no, I haven't been standing in front of it long enough.... ;-)
But the numbers are insignificant compared to other reasons.
Read this http://www.greenenergyohio.org/page.cfm?pageID=116
and that is written by "Greens", so the numbers are definitely not played down....
2007-02-08 06:04:30 · answer #4 · answered by Marianna 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋