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Windfarms 'unlikely' to threaten birds

Wind turbines do not drive birds from surrounding areas, say British researchers, in findings which could make it easier to build more wind farms.

Conservation groups have raised fears that large birds could get caught in the turbines and that the structures could disturb other species.

But scientists found only one of the 23 species studied, the pheasant, was affected during their survey of two wind farms in eastern England.

The findings published in the Journal of Applied Ecology could help government and business efforts to boost the number of wind farms as a way to increase production of renewable energy.

Previous studies have concentrated on the impact of wind turbines on waterbirds and birds of prey.

"'Much terrestrial research into the effects of wind turbines on birds has focused on geese, waders and raptors, whose populations are highest in upland and coastal areas," says Dr Mark Whittingham, whose team from Newcastle University carried out the research.

"This is the first evidence suggesting that the present and future location of large numbers of wind turbines on European farmland is unlikely to have detrimental effects on farmland birds."

"This should be welcome news for nature conservationists, wind energy companies and policy makers."

Important finding

The survey studied the impact of two wind farms on about 3000 birds in the area, including five species of conservation concern - the yellowhammer, the Eurasian tree sparrow, the corn bunting, the Eurasian skylark and the common reed bunting.

The researchers recorded the density of birds at different distances from the turbines and found that aside from the pheasant, the structures posed no problems.

The new findings are important because the European Union is committed to generating 20% of its energy from renewable resources by 2020, at the same time it is seeking to boost biodiversity.

The study did not look at the danger of the birds colliding with the turbines, which has been a worry of conservationists, says Whittingham.

"With large numbers of wind farms needing to be built on lowland areas, the cumulative impacts on farmland bird species has the potential to be a significant constraint to development."

The researchers also point out that their study was conducted during winter and that further studies are needed to assess the impact of wind turbines on farmland birds during the breeding season.