PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The spread and profusion of electricity power lines makes them a serious threat for a wide range of bird species, including up to 7% of the Species of European Conservation Concern. Birds are at risk due to collisions with wires and electrocution. Based on the experience of other EU countries, high voltage power lines are the most significant threat, especially for heavy-bodied and large soaring bird species. Preventing electrocution on power lines is possible, with the installation of electrocution-safe measures, although collisions cannot be completely eliminated.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Birds on Electrogrid project aimed to improve the conservation status of the migratory, wintering and some breeding bird species occurring in Lithuania, through a reduction in the negative impact of overhead high voltage electricity transmission lines on their populations. Specific objectives included: reducing bird mortality rates due to collisions with electricity l
ines by using special installations on the wires of high voltage electricity transmission lines; reducing white stork (Ciconia ciconia) mortality rates due to electrocution, through the installation of protective devices on the pylons; supporting the breeding population of the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and other falcons, through the implementation of conservation measures; and raising public awareness of the problem of bird mortality due to overhead high voltage electricity transmission lines.
RESULTS
The LIFE Birds on Electrogrid project conducted measures that significantly reduced bird collisions and electrocutions on high voltage electricity power lines in Lithuania. Bird protection measures were installed on power lines in important waterfowl staging areas in Natura 2000 sites and in other areas of conservation importance. Positive results were also achieved with measures to improve breeding conditions for other species having unfavourable conservation status, including common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
Collisions with overhead high voltage electricity lines are considered a serious threat to bird species. However, in Lithuania, prior to this project, no research had been conducted on the scale of bird deaths caused by the electricity transmission grid.
The project team prevented disruptions of high voltage electricity transmission lines due to electrocution caused by birds, by implementing measures that prevented birds, especially white stork (Ciconia ciconia), from perching on support structures above insulators. For this purpose, wishbone type bird flight diverters were installed, and saucer type casings above insulator supporting wires were erected that helped to disperse the abundant droppings of large birds. This significantly reduced incidents of electrocution. Seeking to reduce the threat of birds colliding with electricity transmission lines, visibility measures - special spirals and pendant type wire markers - were installed on existing overhead lines.
The project improved the conservation status of the migratory, wintering and other bird species, and supported the breeding population of the common kestrel and other falcon species. Specifically, the project team installed 6 464 'spiral' type wire markers on 93.9 km of high voltage power lines; installed 2 890 high visibility markers on 31.2 km of electricity lines; installed 11 032 'wishbone' and 7 075 'saucer' type bird protection measures on pylons; and erected 580 nesting boxes for falcons. During the project’s four years, kestrels reared over 700 chicks in the erected nest boxes.
The most important monitoring results of bird deaths showed: an annual toll of up to 45 000 bird deaths caused by collisions with high voltage electricity lines; an annual toll of 11.1 bird deaths per 1 km of high voltage overhead electricity lines where visibility increasing measures are not installed; and a reduced annual toll of up to 3.6 bird deaths per 1 km of high voltage overhead electricity lines where visibility increasing measures were installed. Beneath the electricity line segments with different bird protection measures installed during the project implementation, the bird deaths recorded were reduced from 1.2 to 4 times, compared to lines without the improved visibility markers. As a result of the implemented protection measures, it was calculated that 1 374 bird deaths were avoided annually on 123 km length of the high voltage overhead electricity lines. A total of 254 bird victims (112 mute swan in Nemunas River, Kaunas, 142 birds of different species in other places) were found to be caused by collision with the wires.
Awareness of the general public was raised due to the dissemination of information through mass media, project leaflets, five annual calendars, posters, brochure on the problem of bird mortality on the electricity grid, a popular brochure for kids, and the project report and website.
The project contributed to the implementation of the EU Birds Directive in eight Natura 2000 sites (SPAs). White stork is an Annex I species in the Birds Directive. In Birveta wetland complex, the measures also supported the favourable conservation status of the breeding whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) population, the trigger species of this Natura 2000 site. Common kestrel is included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book List as a "Rare species".
By drawing attention to the problem of bird mortality rates due to collisions with electricity lines, environmental authorities when approving environmental impact assessment reports for new electricity lines now have to take into consideration bird protection measures. The experience of erecting falcon nesting-boxes on pylons is being replicated in Latvia.Long-term economic benefits due to the bird protection measures are expected, due to a continuous power supply that is not disrupted by short-circuits caused by bird electrocutions and collisions. This reduces financial losses for electricity suppliers, and social problems for society due to power supply loss. Nest-box construction also provides local employment.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
