Bird Deaths Research Articles

Evaluating sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in deceased predatory birds of South-East Queensland, Australia

The use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) to manage rodent populations can result in unintentional lethal or sublethal poisoning of non-target wildlife, particularly predatory birds. In south-east Queensland, Australia, rodent infestations fluctuate due to favourable environmental conditions, leading to increased AR use and incidences of secondary poisoning. Globally, lethal and sublethal AR exposure has been documented in predatory birds. However, in Australian predatory birds, both the lethal exposure limits and the impacts of sublethal exposure are poorly understood. This study examines AR exposure in 23 raptors and 1 nightjar. Postmortem liver samples were analysed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Traumatic injuries were observed in 15 birds, and rodent remains were found in the gizzards of 9 individuals. LC–MS revealed that 13 birds had sublethal exposure to ARs, with warfarin, a first-generation AR (n = 11) being the most common, followed by second-generation ARs brodifacoum (n = 3), difethialone (n = 1), and flocoumafen (n = 1). Only six of the thirteen AR-positive birds had rodent remains in their gastrointestinal tracts, highlighting the potential of AR bioaccumulation and associated impacts over time. The contribution of sublethal AR exposure to the death of these predatory birds remains unproven and underscores the need for ongoing research into AR exposure in native predatory birds, especially in areas where threatened avifauna inhabit human-dominated landscapes.

Environmental Impact of Wind Farms

The aim of this article is to analyse the global environmental impact of wind farms, i.e., the effects on human health and the local ecosystem. Compared to conventional energy sources, wind turbines emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases, which helps to mitigate global warming. During the life cycle of a wind farm, 86% of CO2 emissions are generated by the extraction of raw materials and the manufacture of wind turbine components. The water consumption of wind farms is extremely low. In the operational phase, it is 4 L/MWh, and in the life cycle, one water footprint is only 670 L/MWh. However, wind farms occupy a relatively large total area of 0.345 ± 0.224 km2/MW of installed capacity on average. For this reason, wind farms will occupy more than 10% of the land area in some EU countries by 2030. The impact of wind farms on human health is mainly reflected in noise and shadow flicker, which can cause insomnia, headaches and various other problems. Ice flying off the rotor blades is not mentioned as a problem. On a positive note, the use of wind turbines instead of conventionally operated power plants helps to reduce the emission of particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM 2.5), which are a major problem for human health. In addition, the non-carcinogenic toxicity potential of wind turbines for humans over the entire life cycle is one of the lowest for energy plants. Wind farms can have a relatively large impact on the ecological system and biodiversity. The destruction of animal migration routes and habitats, the death of birds and bats in collisions with wind farms and the negative effects of wind farm noise on wildlife are examples of these impacts. The installation of a wind turbine at sea generates a lot of noise, which can have a significant impact on some marine animals. For this reason, planners should include noise mitigation measures when selecting the site for the future wind farm. The end of a wind turbine’s service life is not a major environmental issue. Most components of a wind turbine can be easily recycled and the biggest challenge is the rotor blades due to the composite materials used.

Reassortants of the Highly Pathogenic Influenza Virus A/H5N1 Causing Mass Swan Mortality in Kazakhstan from 2023 to 2024.

In the winter of 2023/2024, the mass death of swans was observed on Lake Karakol on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. From 21 December 2023 to 25 January 2024, 1132 swan corpses (Cygnus olor, Cygnus cygnus) were collected and disposed of on the coast by veterinary services and ecologists. Biological samples were collected from 18 birds for analysis at different dates of the epizootic. It was found that the influenza outbreak was associated with a high concentration of migrating birds at Lake Karakol as a result of a sharp cold snap in the northern regions. At different dates of the epizootic, three avian influenza A/H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4.b were isolated from dead birds and identified as highly pathogenic viruses (HPAIs) based on the amino acid sequence of the hemagglutinin multi-base proteolytic cleavage site (PLREKRRRKR/G). A phylogenetic analysis showed that the viruses isolated from the swans had reassortations in the PB2, PB1, and NP genes between highly pathogenic (HP) and low-pathogenic (LP) avian influenza viruses. Avian influenza viruses A/Cygnus cygnus/Karakol lake/01/2024(H5N1) and A/Mute swan/Karakol lake/02/2024(H5N1) isolated on 10 January 2024 received PB2, PB1, and NP from LPAIV, while A/Mute swan/Mangystau/9809/2023(H5N1) isolated on 26 December 2023 received PB1 and NP from LPAIV, indicating that the H5N1 viruses in this study are new reassortants. All viruses showed amino acid substitutions in the PB2, PB1, NP, and NS1 segments, which are critical for enhanced virulence or adaptation in mammals. An analysis of the genomes of the isolated viruses showed that bird deaths during different periods of the epizootic were caused by different reassortant viruses. Kazakhstan is located at the crossroads of several migratory routes of migratory birds, and the possible participation of wild birds in the introduction of various pathogens into the regions of Kazakhstan requires further study.

The Influence of Building Surroundings and Glass Cover in Bird Collisions

The characteristics of building surroundings can influence the number of bird deaths caused by collisions with glass structures. Thus, this study investigated whether the number of trees, the distance to the nearest tree, the number of fruit trees, and the glass area influenced the number of bird collisions on a university campus in Brazil from March 2017 (breeding and non-breeding seasons) to January 2018 (breeding season). Twenty-four birds died due to collisions with the windows in the one-year sampling. Among the factors evaluated, the number of trees and the area of the glass predicted the number of deaths from collisions. The greater the number of trees and the glass area, the greater the number of bird collisions. This suggests that the more vegetation there is near windows, the more birds are attracted, and the less visible the glass barrier becomes, possibly due to the appearance of trees in reflections or scenes viewed through the glass, making it difficult for birds to distinguish the real landscape from the reflected environment. If large expanses of glass are placed on buildings near vegetation, including trees, more bird collisions will occur. Thus, to reduce bird collisions, building designs should reduce the amount of glass used on building exteriors near vegetation and ensure the glass is treated with visual markers.

Impacts of Various Insecticide Forms on Avian Health and Mortality: A Comprehensive Review

Since the time of its synthesis and application, insecticides have prevented millions of deaths in humans, animals and avian lives. They have significantly contributed to the revolution in agriculture and human health by reducing agricultural pests and vector-borne illnesses. The chance of birds being exposed to insecticides is increased by a number of factors, including farming methods, insect and crop kinds, pesticide form, food, and habitat preferences. Granular insecticides, often used in agriculture, are highly concentrated and attractive to songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Liquid sprays, particularly those used for locust control, can affect bird species beyond agricultural areas due to wide-range applications. Treated seeds can poison birds depending on various factors like toxicity and seed availability. Despite the known dangers, many pesticide-related bird deaths go unreported, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies to understand and mitigate these effects. Insecticides have a variety of sub lethal effects on birds, such as deformed embryos, smaller broods, less vigilant parenting, weakened territorial defence, anorexia and weight loss, weakened immune response, lethargic behaviour, increased susceptibility to predators, disruption of the endocrine system, interference with thermoregulation, and inability to orient in the correct direction for migration. Therefore, exposure to pesticides lowers the likelihood of survival and successful reproduction, which eventually interferes with the growth of a robust bird population.

Early Oxidative Stress May Prevent a Red Ornament From Signaling Longevity.

Harsh early environmental conditions can exert delayed, long-lasting effects on phenotypes, including reproductive traits such as sexual signals. Indeed, adverse early conditions can accelerate development, increasing oxidative stress that may, in turn, impact adult sexual signals. Among signals, colorations produced by red ketocarotenoids seem to depend on mitochondrial functioning. Hence, they could reveal individual cell respiration efficiency. It has been hypothesized that these traits are unfalsifiable "index" signals of condition due to their deep connection to individual metabolism. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently linked to aging, red ketocarotenoid-based ornaments could also be good signals of a critical fitness component: longevity. We tested this red color per longevity correlation in captive zebra finches. In addition, we experimentally decreased the synthesis of glutathione (a critical intracellular antioxidant) during the first days of the birds' life to resemble harsh early environmental conditions (e.g., undernutrition). Longevity was recorded until the death of the last bird (almost 9 years). Males, but not females, exhibiting a redder bill in early adulthood lived longer than males with paler bills, which agrees with some precedent studies. However, such bill redness-longevity connection was absent among males with inhibited glutathione synthesis. These findings may suggest that environmental factors can alter the reliability of red ketocarotenoid-based sexual signals, making them less unfalsifiable than believed.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in captive bears (Ursus thibetanus) and in captive and wild birds, France, 2022

Since 2016, Europe has faced recurrent epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b, with large numbers of deaths in wild and domestic birds. The 2022-2023 epidemic was characterized by an increase in the number of avian cases but also by an increased number of mammalian cases. Infected wild mammals were mainly marine mammals or scavengers such as foxes. Additionally, cases involving domestic mammals, like cats and farmed minks, have been documented. In December 2022, a HPAI subtype H5N1 virus belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b was identified in a captive bear and simultaneously in captive and wild birds in a wildlife park in France. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the bear and captive birds in the wildlife park most likely had the same origin and came directly from the infected wild birds. It is advised to monitor symptomatic domestic or captive carnivores when they come into contact with infected birds to stop the spread of the virus across species and to identify the potential mammalian-specific viral molecular markers.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in captive bears (Ursus thibetanus) and in captive and wild birds, France, 2022

Since 2016, Europe has faced recurrent epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b, with large numbers of deaths in wild and domestic birds. The 2022-2023 epidemic was characterized by an increase in the number of avian cases but also by an increased number of mammalian cases. Infected wild mammals were mainly marine mammals or scavengers such as foxes. Additionally, cases involving domestic mammals, like cats and farmed minks, have been documented. In December 2022, a HPAI subtype H5N1 virus belonging to clade 2.3.4.4b was identified in a captive bear and simultaneously in captive and wild birds in a wildlife park in France. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the bear and captive birds in the wildlife park most likely had the same origin and came directly from the infected wild birds. It is advised to monitor symptomatic domestic or captive carnivores when they come into contact with infected birds to stop the spread of the virus across species and to identify the potential mammalian-specific viral molecular markers.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus infections in pinnipeds and seabirds in Uruguay: Implications for bird-mammal transmission in South America.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have caused unprecedented deaths in South American wild birds, poultry, and marine mammals. In September 2023, pinnipeds and seabirds appeared dead on the Uruguayan Atlantic coast. Sixteen influenza virus strains were characterized by real-time reverse transcription PCR and genome sequencing in samples from sea lions (Otaria flavescens), fur seals (Arctocephalus australis), and terns (Sterna hirundinacea). Phylogenetic and ancestral reconstruction analysis showed that these strains have pinnipeds most likely as the ancestral host, representing a recent introduction of clade 2.3.4.4b in Uruguay. The Uruguayan and closely related strains from Peru (sea lions) and Chile (sea lions and a human case) carry mammalian adaptative residues 591K and 701N in the viral polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2). Our findings suggest that clade 2.3.4.4b strains in South America may have spread from mammals to mammals and seabirds, revealing a new transmission route.

Disentangling the biotic and abiotic drivers of bird-building collisions in a tropical Asian city with ecological niche modeling.

Bird collisions with buildings are responsible for a large number of bird deaths in cities around the world, yet they remain poorly studied outside North America. We conducted one of the first citywide fine-scale and landscape-scale analyses of bird-building collisions in Asia and used maximum entropy modeling (as commonly applied to species distribution modeling) in a novel way to assess the drivers of bird-building collisions in the tropical city-state of Singapore. We combined 7years of community science observations with publicly available building and remote sensing data. Drivers of bird-building collisions varied among taxa. Some migratory taxa had a higher relative collision risk that was linked to areas with high building densities and high levels of nocturnal blue light pollution. Nonmigratory taxa had a higher collision risk in areas near forest cover. Projecting our results onto official long-term land-use plans, we predicted that future increases in bird-building collision risk stemmed from increases in blue light pollution and encroachment of buildings into forested areas and identified 6 potential collision hotspots linked to future developments. Our results suggest that bird-building collision mitigation measures need to account for the different drivers of collision for resident and migratory species and show that combining community science and ecological modeling can be a powerful approach for analyzing bird-building collision data.

A game production based on Angry Birds

In the past few years, the game industry has undergone many changes, and now it has improved from single player games to the era of online mobile games. Games that used to only run on computers now can also be used on smart phones. This time we improve the once popular game "Angry Birds", with the aim of making the content of the game more comprehensive and better attracting players. For example, we have added more kinds of birds to the game and optimized animation effects such as the injuries of pigs and the deaths of birds. In the programme and improvement of making game, we also referenced a lot of literature and videos on the internet, and the experimental results showed that its a success of game making because most people who experienced our Angry Birdsgave it a positive review and high points.

Effect of 2020-21 and 2021-22 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 Epidemics on Wild Birds, the Netherlands.

The number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5-related infections and deaths of wild birds in Europe was high during October 1, 2020-September 30, 2022. To quantify deaths among wild species groups with known susceptibility for HPAI H5 during those epidemics, we collected and recorded mortality data of wild birds in the Netherlands. HPAI virus infection was reported in 51 bird species. The species with the highest numbers of reported dead and infected birds varied per epidemic year; in 2020-21, they were within the Anatidae family, in particular barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and in 2021-22, they were within the sea bird group, particularly Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) and northern gannet (Morus bassanus). Because of the difficulty of anticipating and modeling the future trends of HPAI among wild birds, we recommend monitoring live and dead wild birds as a tool for surveillance of the changing dynamics of HPAI.

Ensuring the safety of citizens by rescuers/police officers in case of a chemical attack (accident at a chemical enterprise) in the conditions of marital law

The work deals with the urgent problem of ensuring the safety of life of the population in the conditions of martial law, introduced in Ukraine – providing premedical assistance to victims of a chemical attack (as a result of the action of dangerous factors of a man-made accident at a specialized chemical enterprise).
 The potential possibilities of means of defeating the units of the chemical forces of the aggressor state are analyzed, the cases of the use of chemical weapons by the occupiers in relation to both the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilian population during the war in Ukraine, as well as the real situations of destroyed chemical plants in many regions of the country, are described and summarized.
 On the basis of the analysis of operational publications in the Internet and scientific works of a great number of scientists, the general algorithm of rescue actions during the evacuation of victims of a chemical attack/accident (workers/residents) was considered, modern approaches in the order of providing premedical aid both at chemical enterprises and at home conditions when people are injured by the most common chemical substances were clarified, recommendations concerning compliance by police officers with established rules of conduct at the scene of the incident are offered.
 The main signs that characterize the beginning of a chemical attack in the conditions of martial law and allow the population to identify it quickly are given: 1) chemical alarm signals; 2) features of air raids or enemy artillery fire; 3) simultaneous mass death of small animals, birds and insects.
 The peculiarities of the effect on the human body of such substances as chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid), nitrogen (nitrogen N), nitric acid, oxide (dioxin) of nitrogen, for each of which characteristic symptoms of damage for the victim are determined, the procedure for providing premedical aid to victims in case of damage by them, as well as under the influence of chemical weapons (sarin, phosgene) has been specified.
 Based on the analysis of special literature and the results of the conducted research, a generalization was made regarding the importance of training the population in effective (and therefore safe) actions in the event of a chemical attack by the military units of the aggressor state (a man-made accident at chemical enterprises), the need to observe the established rules of conduct and safety measures in the case of a missile/artillery attack by the occupiers, regardless of the region or territory of fighting actions in Ukraine

Microbial carriage of Dermanyssus gallinae ticks

The effectiveness of the development of the poultry industry depends on the veterinary well-being of farms, in particular, in relation to invasive diseases. One of the most widespread ectoparasites among poultry farms is the gamasic mite Dermanyssus gallinae. As a result of tick parasitism, the egg and meat productivity of chickens decreases, often the death of young birds. Dermanyssus ticks are hematophagous and can be carriers of pathogens of infectious diseases of chickens, including zooanthroponosis. The research method was used to investigate the presence of specific pathogens carried by Dermanyssus gallinae. In laboratory conditions, inoculation was carried out from the homogenate of ticks isolated from chickens and objects of poultry premises on nutrient media (blood agar, yolk-salt agar, Saburo, Simmons, Endo, Ploskirev, bismuth-sulfite agar). As a result of bacteriological studies of Dermanyssus gallinae isolated from different substrates, microorganisms belonging to three species and four genera were isolated – Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli. Dermanyssus ticks isolated from chickens were carriers of only two genera and one species of microorganisms – Staphylococcus spp. (37.5 %) and Euterococcus facalis (31.3 %). Moreover, monoisolates (77.8 %) were most often isolated from ticks, the majority of which were Staphylococcus spp. (44.5 %), less – Enterococcus faecalis (33.3 %). Bacterial associations were rarely identified (22.2 %). Dermanyssus ticks, isolated from the objects of the poultry house environment, turned out to be carriers of a larger spectrum of microorganisms, where Staphylococcus spp. were more often isolated (100 %) and Escherichia coli (43.8 %), less often – Klebsiella pneumoniae (37.5 %) and Enterococcus faecalis (18.8 %). The isolates were dominated by associations of microorganisms (62.5 %). The monoisolate was represented only by Staphylococcus spp. (37.5 %). The data obtained by us regarding the isolated microorganisms further expand the vector role of D. gallinae, proving their danger for poultry enterprises producing food products. In general, dermanyssiosis can seriously affect the health of chickens both because of ectoparasites – hematophages, and because of the ability to transmit pathogens.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus-Induced Mass Death of Wild Birds, Caspian Sea, Russia, 2022.

In May 2022, we observed a substantial die-off of wild migratory waterbirds on Maliy Zhemchuzhniy Island in the Caspian Sea, Russia. The deaths were caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b virus. Continued surveillance of influenza viruses in wild bird populations is needed to predict virus spread over long distances.

Incidental mortality of seabirds in pollock trawl fishery in the northwestern part of the Bering Sea

Purpose of the work: Estimation of average annual number of seabirds that die as a result of lethal strikes with fishing gear in the specialized pollock trawl fishery by large-tonnage fleet in the West Bering Sea zone.Methods used: The article is based on materials collected by ornithologists on large freezer trawlers in the summer and autumn periods in 2020 and 2021. To record bird deaths we used inspection of warps, net sonar wire third cable, net trawl, codend during trawl retrieval and count of bird lethal collisions with fishing gear during observation sessions at all stages of fishing operations. The total mortality was estimated by extrapolating the mean catch-rates (number of dead birds per vessel day) to fishing efforts of large-tonnage fleet in the West Bering Sea zone in 2020 and 2021.Novelty: The annual average mortality of birds in large-scale trawling was determined for the first time for domestic fisheries and an expert assessment of its potential risk to populations of the catched species was carried outResults: The death of 203 birds was recorded during 139 vessel days. The total estimated mortality in fishing gear was 8,355 (CI 5259–11451) birds per year: 4,717 northern fulmars, 1,667 short-tailed shearwaters, 1,006 Laysan albatrosses, 822 black-legged kittiwakes, 48 slaty-backed gulls, 48 Vega gulls, and 47 red-legged kittiwakes. Comparison of these estimates with the global or regional number of birds suggests that mortality in fishing gear in 2020 and 2021 did not have a significant negative impact on the state of species (proportion of dead birds was 0.005–0.085% of their population estimates). Despite the regular presence of short-tailed albatrosses near trawlers in the Navarin area, no deaths in fishing gear were recorded.Practical significance: The results are necessary for the process of ecological certification of the specialized pollock trawl fishery in the West Bering Sea zone.

First report and genetic characterization of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Cabot's tern (Thalasseus acuflavidus), Brazil

In 2021, the H5N1 virus lineage 2.3.4.4b spread to the Americas, causing high mortality in wild and domestic avian populations. South American countries along the Pacific migratory route have reported wild bird deaths due to A/H5Nx virus since October 2022. However, limited genomic data resulted in no cases reported in Brazil until May 2023.Brazil reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI A/H5N1) in May 2023. The virus was detected in Cabot's tern specimen in Marataízes, Espírito Santo. Cases were also found in backyard poultry and other wild birds, but no human or commercial poultry cases occurred. HPAI poses risks to the poultry industry, food security, and public health.Researchers used next-gen sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to study the Brazilian sample. It confirmed its affiliation with the 2.3.4.4b clade and proximity to sequences from Chile and Peru.This sheds light on the spread and evolution of HPAI A/H5N1 in the Americas, emphasizing continuous monitoring to mitigate risks for both avian and human populations. Understanding the virus's genetics and transmission allows implementing effective control measures to protect public health and the poultry industry.

Current situation of avian influenza due to the highly pathogenic subtype A/H5N1 in Mexico. Proceeding of The First International Avian Influenza Summit, University of Arkansas- October 16-17, 2023"

The first report of news of an epizootic of Avian Influenza (AI) occurred in the neighborhoods of the city of Turín, Italy, in family poultry farms in 1878, which resulted in high mortality rates. The infection spread to the north and west of Europe, ending a year later in England. It was the distinguished Italian veterinarian Edoardo Bellarmino Perocitto (1847-1936), who created a detailed clinical, pathological, and epidemiological description of this viral infection of birds. In 2014, a virus emerged that has since commanded the attention of researchers. This virus was isolated from a domestic goose in Guangdong, China, and was classified as A/Goose/Guandong/1/14. This line sparked a strong focus among avian pathologists because, since its appearance, it has caused death in domestic and wild birds and has spread to more than 76 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. It is well known that migratory aquatic birds are the main actors in the ecology of Orthomyxoviruses of Avian Influenza. IA is caused by an Orthomyxovirus whose envelope contains surface glycoproteins: Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). Types A, B, and C are isolated from animals. Types B and C have been isolated from man. Type A viruses are capable of infecting birds, humans, horses, and other mammals. The incubation period of AI Orthomyxoviruses is one to seven days and clinically causes a severe congestive-hemorrhagic respiratory, intestinal, and neurological condition, with mortality rates of 90 to 95\% and mortality rates of 95 to 100\%. Both Avian Influenza and Human Influenza have a seasonal presentation during the autumn and winter months of each year. Currently, the AI viruses H5N1 and H7N9 are zoonotic. Asian strain subtypes with greater impact on the health of people and their origin have occurred due to the spread between different species of wild birds, domestic and productive birds, and the people who take care of them and sell them. The global situation of Avian Influenza, a cross-border disease, continues to threaten the health of birds in practically all countries under agreement with the World Organization for Animal Health (OMSA/OIE). From 2021 to December 2022, more than 8,142 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 appeared in 76 countries on four continents, affecting more than 120 million birds. The poultry industry in the United States of America has slaughtered more than 60 million commercial, domestic, and free-range birds (chickens, turkeys, and ducks), and wild birds between 2022-2023. This serious and worrying situation at a global level means that the World Animal Health Organization located in Paris, France, organized a meeting with all countries affected by AI in October 2022, during which it was concluded and authorized in an unprecedented decision for the first authorizing vaccination against AI in affected countries and publishing a manual “OIE Vaccination: A tool for the control of Avian Influenza.

Reanalysis indicates little evidence of reduction in eagle mortality rate by automated curtailment of wind turbines

Abstract Unintended consequences of renewable energy development include collision‐caused deaths of birds and bats. Energy companies may risk prosecution if protected species are among the casualties. Shutting down turbines during high collision‐risk conditions could reduce mortality rates, and several companies are developing systems to identify such conditions. A recent peer‐reviewed article published in the Journal of Applied Ecology reported a remarkable ‘82% (75%–89%) reduction in the fatality rate’ of eagles at a wind energy facility due to a device marketed as Identiflight®—remarkable because of the impressive effect size and the extremely high level of precision. We show that reported results stem from four major errors, which, when corrected, give an unremarkable estimate of 50% (−159%, 89%) reduction (or possible increase) in the fatality rate. The errors include the following: (i) Ignoring annual variation. They compare the average number of eagle fatalities over 4 years before activation of Identiflight® to the number in a single year after, ignoring annual variation in fatalities. (ii) Unfounded causal inference. Lack of replication (one treatment year at one site) is ignored, leading to unwarranted causal inference. (iii) Inflated effect size. Effect size is inflated by assuming (without providing evidence) that the difference in fatality relative to the mean at a neighbouring site would be exactly repeated at the treatment site. Furthermore, the observed difference in fatalities at the control site depends strongly on the arbitrarily chosen date distinguishing the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ periods, yielding unreliable results. (iv) Inconsistency of data. It is unclear why 7 of 42 reported eagle fatalities were not included in the data analyzed, potentially further inflating the estimated effect size. Synthesis and applications. The recent claim, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, that ‘Eagle fatalities are reduced by automated curtailment of wind turbines’ is not supported by the data but stems from errors that led to strongly overstated effect size and precision, and unfounded inference. In theory, automated curtailment has obvious potential for reducing eagle fatalities, but several more years of data at several locations and appropriate statistical analyses will be required to evaluate its effectiveness and to inform management prescriptions involving this technology.

Low-Cost Maximum Power Point Tracking Strategy and Protection Circuit Applied to an Ayanz Wind Turbine with Screw Blades

This paper provides three different research contributions applied to a Wind Turbine patented in 1606 by the inventor Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont. The windmill under study is the Ayanz Wind Turbine with screw blades. The first contribution consists of an experimental characterization of the Ayanz Wind Turbine, incorporating the enclosure proposed at the patent and showing that the efficiency of the wind turbine is increased between 70% and 90% due to the enclosure being employed. As not many details about the shape of the screw blades are provided at the patent, in this article the nowadays well-studied and commercially available Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine blade is utilized. It has been observed that by using an enclosure with a cylindrical shape, not only the efficiency of the wind turbine is increased, but the visual impact is reduced as seeing the blades rotating is avoided, which is a very important fact for many potential individual users of this wind turbine. In addition, it also enables the use of a protective mesh for birds, almost totally reducing the probability of bird deaths. The second contribution consists in a simple and low-cost Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) strategy for the wind turbine, which only uses an AC three-phase impedance to capture the maximum energy from the wind, enabling to eliminate the DC-DC converter and microprocessor employed typically for this purpose. Due to this, the cost, complexity, failure rate, and power losses of the electronic power circuit are reduced which is very welcomed for small-scale wind turbines. Finally, the last contribution is a protection electronic circuit that fulfills several objectives: to brake the wind turbine under high winds and to disconnect and protect it when over-currents occur and when the voltage range of the batteries connected to the wind turbine is outside their safety range.