Bird Electrocution Research Articles

Automatic classification of bird species related to power line faults using deep convolution features and ECOC‐SVM model

AbstractBird‐related outages greatly threaten the safety of overhead transmission and distribution lines, while electrocution and collisions of birds with power lines, especially endangered species, are significant environmental concerns. Automatic bird recognition can be helpful to mitigate this contradiction. This paper proposes a method for automatic classification of bird species related to power line faults combining deep convolution features with error‐correcting output codes support vector machine (ECOC‐SVM). An image dataset of about 20 high‐risk and 20 low‐risk bird species was constructed, and the feed‐forward denoising convolutional neural network was used for image preprocessing. The deep convolution features of bird images were extracted by DarkNet‐53, and taken as inputs of the ECOC‐SVM for model training and bird species classification. The gradient‐weighted class activation mapping was used for visual explanations of the model decision region. The experimental results indicate that the average accuracy of the proposed method can reach 94.39%, and its performance was better than other models using different feature extraction networks and classification algorithms.

Современный статус балобана в России и в Казахстане

Современный статус балобана в России и в Казахстане

Power lines and birds: An overlooked threat in South America

Power lines endanger birds around the world, as a large number of them are killed every year through electrocutions and collisions. This problem can have severe consequences at population level, particularly for threatened species. While this threat has been widely studied in different parts of the world, information from South America is scarce. Here, we review information from scientific and grey literature on the collision and electrocution of birds on power lines from this sub-continent. We complement this information with novel data provided by a citizen science project, electrical companies and field monitoring records. Our results show that although in South America scientific and anecdotal information on this topic is scarce, data suggests that this threat is present in many areas of this sub-continent and affects several species, some of which are seriously threatened. However, information on the most affected species, the number of individuals impacted, the most dangerous geographical areas and the effectiveness of mitigation action is scarce and mainly anecdotal. This is worrying, because South America is a hot spot of biodiversity with many threatened and endemic bird species. We urge conservationists to evaluate this problem in more detail, define areas where it is important to avoid power line installation and establish priority areas for implementation of effective mitigation actions. Scientific evidence shows that dangerous power lines require retrofitting, but this knowledge should also be applied to the new energy facilities and the establishment of national regulations, which would undoubtedly reduce the impact of this infrastructure on wildlife.

Гибель птиц на ЛЭП в Республике Калмыкия (Россия) в 2021 году

The article presents the results of the study of bird electrocution on power lines in the eastern part of the Republic of Kalmykia in 2021. 43 sections of 6–10 kV power lines with the total length of 472.4 km were examined. The remains of 106 birds that died due to electrocution and 5 birds that collided with wires were found upon our examination of 407.7 km of power lines dangerous to birds. The average density was 3.4±2.8 remains per 10 km of lines, with several mass mortality sections of up to 10.9 remains per 10 km identified. Birds of prey predominated among found remains (93%): the Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) – 26%, the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) – 25%, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – 13%, and other species. On the basis of our examination the damage caused by bird`s deaths while operating 6-10 kV power lines by Kalmenergo, a branch of Rosseti-Yug PJSC, amounted to 9,287,400 rubles. Based on the results of a claim by the RK Prosecutor's Office, the Elista City Court ordered Kalmenergo to equip all power lines in Sarpinsky and Harbinsky wildlife sanctuaries with bird protection devices.

Bird electrocution on power lines: Spatial gaps and identification of driving factors at global scales

Universal energy access is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and thus the deployment of electricity grids is expected to expand globally in the coming decades. However, the installation of power lines is not biodiversity-friendly. In particular, electrocution on power pylons is a major cause of bird mortality worldwide, including for some severely endangered species. Over the last decades, different studies have improved our understanding of the factors influencing the risk of electrocution in birds, but until now spatial gaps in our knowledge of these impacts and the factors driving global patterns of bird electrocution have not been assessed. In this study, we evaluated data from a total of 114 studies that provided information on bird mortality rates on power lines, and we analyzed the factors driving electrocution rates for all bird species, and then for all raptors and large eagles separately. Our results showed a high spatial distribution bias, as more than 80% of the studies were carried out in developed countries, mostly in Europe and North America. By contrast, no systematic studies have been found for Oceania and very few for South America and Africa. Europe showed the highest electrocution rates for birds, South America for raptor species and Africa for eagles. Socio-economic factors best-explained bird and raptor electrocution rates, while climate-related factors were the most influential for eagles. Contrary to our expectations, factors related to pylon design were the least influential on overall electrocution rates. Variables related to study design showed highly variable levels of influence. This could be due to the lack of standardized protocols. Although bird electrocution has been extensively studied, there are large areas where no studies have been carried out or for which data are inaccessible. This could be because in these areas the power distribution network is still sparse, or that most studies are not public or accessible to the international community. Researchers and managers should promote the publication of studies, as awareness is the first step to solving these problems. The factors identified could be applied globally to the design and planning of power grids and the identification of mortality hotspots. This would help mitigate the creation of new mortality hotspots, especially in developing countries where the installation of new power lines has been growing exponentially in recent years.

Risk of bird electrocution in power lines: a framework for prioritizing species and areas for conservation and impact mitigation

AbstractElectrocution on power lines is an important human‐related cause of bird mortality and an important conservation issue worldwide. Besides impacts on bird populations, electrocutions cause power outages, resulting in damage to power line network integrity. However, there is a general lack of knowledge on the risk of bird electrocution, especially in developing countries. Generating information over large scales without resorting to local mortality data can be useful for the development of regional management strategies, particularly in countries where electrocution is poorly documented. Here, we developed a framework to model the risk of bird electrocution as an interaction between the species‐specific exposure to power lines (pole density within a species distribution range) and susceptibility (morphological and behavioral traits associated with electrocution hazards). We applied this framework to Brazil, identifying 283 species that face a risk of electrocution, of which 38 were classified as higher risk, mostly raptors (76%). The Pantanal (a large wetland biome) concentrates the greatest cumulative susceptibility due to the high number of species vulnerable to electrocution (i.e. large species using power lines for perching or nesting), while the Atlantic Forest region has a higher risk for electrocution, due to the spatial overlap between the presence of vulnerable species and high exposure to power lines. Furthermore, our study identified spatial patterns of bird electrocution, highlighting priority areas for electrocution susceptibility and electrocution risk to be further investigated, and where measures to mitigate bird electrocutions should be applied on new and existing power lines. Our framework allows a preliminary assessment aimed at identifying areas of higher risk of electrocution, to highlight species vulnerable to this threat and to improve power line routing. This approach can be replicated to other understudied areas of the world where the same information is available.

Avian-power line interactions in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia: are mitigation actions effective?

BackgroundElectrocution and collisions on power lines are among the leading causes of non-natural mortality for birds. Power lines are exponentially increasing, particularly in developing countries, but mitigation strategies to prevent bird mortality are questionable. Mongolia combines a recently increased power line network, an abundant raptor population, a dangerous crossarm configuration and a habitat with no natural perches, producing many bird-power line interactions. Our aim is to assess the bird mortality caused by power lines in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, to determine the factors increasing the risk of bird electrocution, and to evaluate the effectiveness of used retrofitting measures.MethodsIn July 2019 we covered 132.9 km of 15 kV power lines checking 1092 poles. We also conducted bird transects to record raptor and corvid richness and abundance, to assess species vulnerability to electrocution.ResultsWe recorded 76 electrocuted birds of 7 species. Electrocution rate was 6.96 birds/100 poles. The most affected species were Common Raven (Corvus corax) and Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius), highlighting the electrocution of 5 endangered Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug). By contrast, we only recorded 8 individuals of 5 species colliding with wires, the most affected being Pallas’s Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus). About 76.1% of sampled poles had some mitigation measure. Of these, 96.6% were brush perch deflectors and 3.4% rotating-mirrors perch deterrents. We found differences in electrocution rates among crossarm configurations, with the strain insulator with one jumper being the most lethal. Additionally, we found no correlation between bird abundance and electrocution rates, suggesting that some species are more sensitive to electrocution. Although no differences in total bird electrocution rates were detected between poles with and without perch deterrents, when bird size is considered, deterrents reduced the mortality rate of small birds, while they were ineffective for medium-sized birds.ConclusionsDespite the widespread use of perch deterrents in the Mongolian power line network, there is still an alarming electrocution rate. This strategy is ineffective and some mechanisms, such as brush perch deflectors, may increase the electrocution rate for some medium-sized birds. Finally, we propose strategies to minimize the avian electrocution rate in the Gobi Desert.

Hazards of wind turbines on avifauna - a preliminary appraisal within the Indian context

Wind farms are substantial sources of renewable energy in India; however, their spread across the country potentially present new hazards to local and migratory birds. This study explored the risk of electrocution and collision of birds with wind turbines close to eco-sensitive zones in India, including Bakkhali, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Geographic information system and remote sensing technology were used. The results indicate vulnerability of local bird species such as barn owl, Indian Scops Owl, Blue Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, House Crow, Common Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Ruddy Shelduck, Lesser Whistling Duck, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, and Pond Herons, as well as migratory species such as Bar-headed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, and American Black Duck. Modification of wind turbine design and location were considered determinant factors to reduce risk of bird collisions.

Первые результаты установки искусственных гнездовий для хищных птиц в Даурской степи (Юго-Восточное Забайкалье, Россия)

The first results and the analysis of the effectiveness of the program aimed on installation of artificial nests in the Daurian steppe in the vicinity of the Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve (South-Eastern Transbaikalia; Russia) for the period from 2016 to April 10; 2019 are presented in the article. The goal of the program is to assist in the restoration of populations of Saker Falcon ( Falco cherrug ) and of the Upland Buzzard ( Buteo hemilasius ) which are strongly affected by negative anthropogenic factors. The program is carried out in conjunction with activities aimed to eliminate the mass bird electrocution on power lines. This is the first experimental stage of the program that should help us in choosing the optimal design for artificial nests. Ten artificial nests were installed in April of 2016 and10 in September of 2017. Four types of nests made of willow rods; water-resistant chipboard and wood were used. The Saker Falcons occupy preferably the closed-type nests; the Upland Buzzards - open platforms. The artificial nests ensure successful breeding of birds. The results of occupation of artificial nests; the breeding success and the causes of death of offspring both in artificial nests and in nature are discussed in the article.

몽골 남부지역의 야생조류 사고 : 감전사를 중심으로

몽골 남부지역의 야생조류 사고 : 감전사를 중심으로

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

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.

Electrocution risk for the endangered Crowned Solitary Eagle and other birds in semiarid landscapes of central Argentina

SummaryHigh mortality by electrocution has been suggested to be the main factor behind the reduction of several birds of prey populations across the world. Almost nothing is known, however, about the impact of power lines on this group of birds in the Neotropical Region. Here we estimate electrocution rates for birds on power lines covering both arid and semiarid biomes of central Argentina. We conducted six bi-monthly power line and raptor surveys throughout 355 km of lines and roads covering an area of approximately 12,000 km2. We described the structural design of 3,118 surveyed electricity pylons. We found 34 electrocuted individuals of four bird families that constitute an annual bird electrocution rate of 0.011 bird/pylon/year. Bird electrocution occurred mostly on concrete pylons with jumpers above the cross-arm. Larger birds of prey had a higher electrocution rate than smaller species. The Crowned Solitary EagleButeogallus coronatuswas disproportionately affected by this mortality source when compared with its low population density. Electrocution incidents occurred mostly in a few electric pylon designs that represent only 10.2 % of the power pylons monitored in the study area. Therefore, the change or modification of a small fraction of pylons would almost eliminate bird electrocution incidents in our study area. Our results prove that electrocution is a relevant cause of mortality for Crowned Solitary Eagles and urgent mitigating actions are needed to reduce this mortality factor.

Using risk prediction models and species sensitivity maps for large-scale identification of infrastructure-related wildlife protection areas: The case of bird electrocution

The use of systematic area-selection procedures to design protected areas can help optimize conservation actions. However, this process has rarely been used to identify high-risk mortality areas to protect wildlife from human impacts. Electrocution on power lines is one the most important human-related causes of bird mortality worldwide, especially for raptors. Identifying and correcting dangerous individual pylons can significantly reduce the number of electrocution victims, but applying this procedure at a large spatial scale is impractical. In this paper we describe a new selection process that allows for identification of high-risk mortality areas at large scales, combining spatial electrocution risk models with maps of species sensitivity to such an impact. We used the Valencia Region (eastern Spain) as our study system. The risk prediction map was built using bird electrocution records on 1km×1kmgrids from 2000 to 2009 and the species sensitivity map was built using data on presence and use of four raptor species. The combination of both maps was compared to the distribution of Special Protected Areas and validated by local experts to identify prediction errors or gaps. The final proposal of high priority areas to protect birds from electrocution covered 16.3% of the Valencia Region. Our work supports the use of predictive models and sensitivity maps in the decision-making process to locate high priority infrastructure-related wildlife protection areas at a large scale.

Итоги проекта «Оценка влияния воздушных линий электропередачи средней мощности на орнитофауну Мангистауской области (Республика Казахстан)»

The article highlights the project results on the assessment of the impact of middle voltage overhead power lines (PL) on avifauna of Mangistau region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On repeated examination of 440 km of PL there was determined a fact of death of 123 birds belonging to 29 species. In particular, 23 birds died from injuries because of collision with wires, and 100 birds were electrocuted. Among the latter, about 60 % are eagles (Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca). There is the dependence of a number of electrocuted birds on the engineering design of PL. There was an extrapolation of the bird electrocution survey results on the whole territory of Mangistau region.

Selecting indicator species of infrastructure impacts using network analysis and biological traits: Bird electrocution and power lines

The use of indicator species may save a considerable amount of resources when the attributes of other species or of the ecological process of interest are difficult or costly to measure directly. However, identifying indicator species is not easy and there is a need for rigorous criteria and methods for their selection. In this study, we test a new approach to select indicator species of high mortality-risk of electrocution in power pylons comparing methods based on biological criteria and network analysis. For this purpose, we studied 335 mortality records of 19 bird species electrocuted between 1996 and 2013 in a Special Protected Area located in South-eastern Spain. Our results showed that both species-biology based methods and network analyses provided similar results, indicating that the eagle owl can be considered the best mortality indicator of the bird community on power pylons for the study area. The use of network analysis to select indicator species can be very useful to optimize the monitoring of infrastructure impacts, especially on complex or understudied communities because it does not require detailed information on the biology of the species.

Space–time trends in Spanish bird electrocution rates from alternative information sources

Interaction with man-made infrastructures is one of the main sources of non-natural bird mortality. Here, we use a long-term study (1980–2010) to analyse spatial and temporal patterns in avian electrocution in Spain, using ringed birds as well as published reports and articles as information sources. Electrocution rates of ringed birds differ from rates obtained in unringed species. Electrocution rates are likely seasonally asymmetrical and are not constant across study periods: between 1990 and 2005 an annual rising trend of 5% was observed, whereas between 2006 and 2010 this trend decreased (16% annually). From the literature, we confirmed this decreasing trend. However, when we consider large eagles (Aquila genus), which include several of the most threatened bird species in Spain, this decreasing trend is not evident. The results of the analysis of different environmental and socio-economic factors affecting bird electrocution rates are similar between ringed birds and traditional power line surveys. Our modelling suggests three common factors that influence mortality rates: number of hunted rabbits, tree coverage and length of the power line network. Thus, the use of alternative information sources to detect high mortality areas due to electrocution by power lines may be a useful tool to complement other methods.

Laboratory corrosion tests on overhead line conductors with bird protection systems

SUMMARY Overhead lines in areas with sensitive populations of large birds raise demands for protection against bird electrocution (mortal current transfer through the bird bodies), particularly for threatened species like the eagle owl. For the decision making of what protection measures to apply, it is important to assess both their environmental benefits and the measures of technical consequences. One of the popular retrofit protection methods is insulation of the aluminium conductors at pin insulated medium voltage overhead line poles. In the present work, we have performed accelerated corrosion tests on aluminium conductors using four different bird protection systems available on the market. The tests were performed in laboratory environment for marine corrosivity indices 4 and 8, and simulated time periods up to 24 years. The results show that the systems influence the degradation of the aluminium conductors, leading to life-time expectancy reductions between 12 and 22% for the investigated corrosivity indices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Managing nesting by Chihuahuan ravens on H‐frame electric transmission structures

AbstractElectric utility structures occur widely in natural and human‐dominated landscapes and are often used by birds for nesting. Nests can cause power outages, fires, and electrocution of birds and their young, particularly if nests occur directly above energized equipment and incorporate metal wire. Chihuahuan raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) nests often contain metal wire and occur over energized equipment. To explore a proactive risk mitigation strategy we deployed novel nest diverters on 51 structures supporting a 230 kV H‐frame transmission line in Kiowa and Bent Counties, Colorado, USA, and compared nesting on these structures with nesting on 66 structures without nest diverters on the same line. Chihuahuan ravens placed nest material on 7% of treated structures and 43% of untreated structures and nested on 0% of treated structures and 34% of untreated structures. Chihuahuan ravens were less likely to attempt to nest on, or actually nest on, structures treated with nest diverters. Future research should evaluate nest diverters over larger spatial and temporal scales and compare prey populations in areas where ravens are excluded to prey populations in areas where ravens persist. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.

Electrocution and collision of birds with power lines in Saudi Arabia

A power line located 100 km south of Jeddah was monitored for four years (2008–2011) and the results show that collision and electrocution of birds by power lines are of conservation concern in Saudi Arabia. The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Corncrake (Crex crex) and Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) were the most affected species in the study area. However, the Common Quail seems to be more susceptible than other species and was found in high numbers. Although the number of species affected is probably low, the increases in energy demands and the introduction of new power lines will lead to an increase in bird deaths by electrocution and collision unless a conservation measure is applied to minimize the effect of power lines especially among the migratory species.

Electrocution of Birds and Collision With Power Lines: Solutions to a Global Problem

Electrocution of Birds and Collision With Power Lines: Solutions to a Global Problem