Bird Electrocution and Collisions with Power Infrastructure in Elgazeira, Kassala and Gadarif States, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conduct ed at Elgazeira, kassala and Gadarif states, covered two seasons in exception of Gadarif state studied in the last season only. The first season from 28/6/2015 to 6/7/2015, and another season from 24 December 2015 - 6 January 2016, to assess the bird's mort ality caused by the power lines . Objectives of this study are: Describe types of killer power lines, and determine numbers of bird species, that are killed by collisions or electrocutions. There were 43 lines traversed in the study area, as follow: 20 line s in the Gaziera state, 9 lines in Gadarif and 14 in kassala. Line transects was adopted to cover the targeted lines. Types of these lines that used were 11 Kilo volte, 33 kilo volte, and 66 kilo volte. Lines were intensive studied by four members under an d at the both sides of the line to cover about twenty meters at each side. Dead birds found at an area of 20 meters beneath the line recorded by location using GPS, then classified and documented by digital camera, a photo taken for the poles with its surr ound habitat. Electrocuted birds distinguished by the signs like burning, injures or the location of the birds from the pole. Dead birds after been registered collected to avoid replication. Number of dead birds was 357 individuals classified into 23 spec ies most are member of the order Falconiformes which comprised a total of 257 individuals, about 72 % of the whole percentage. The proportion of Ciconiiformes was 64 individuals of 18%. Less proportion was Passeriformes and Charadriiformes. Electrocuted bir ds were 301 individuals 84.3% higher than collition 56 birds 15.7%. It should be noticed that birds of prey were more affected by power lines mainly at Kassala state, Lesser kestrel 20.7%, Black kite 16.3% Common kestrel 15.1% while Pied crow suffere d more in Gaziera state 31 individuals of 8.7%. The total number of birds not reflects the exact real because there are many factors such as Scavengers and carnivores or removing by ploughing or humans.