Slaughter of the songbirds

Lured by warning lights on new 500ft turbines

THE melody of a tweeting songbird is one of nature’s finest delights.

But the soothing sounds of our most beloved species could be silenced – as they are facing a ‘catastrophic’ threat from a new generation of ‘supersize’ wind turbines.

The country’s official conservation body is warning the structures ‘can kill many thousands of birds’.

In a bid to generate green power, energy companies are erecting more giant turbines.

Any structure higher than 150 metres (492ft) must be topped with a red light to make sure it is visible at night to low-flying aircraft.

But Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is concerned that the lights attract birds, luring them to their deaths in the turbine blades.

Experts warn that some of Scotland’s most beloved species are at increasing risk – including thrushes, robins and goldcrests.

SNH has now written to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to demand a change in the rules.

It believes it would be better to replace the red lights, which are always on, with flashing lights, which they believe attract birds less. Alternatively, the lights could be fitted with radar sensors, meaning they come on only when aircraft are in the area.

Dr Andy Douse, senior ornithologist for SNH, said: ‘We are seeing an increase in the number of applications which involve the installation of much bigger turbines, almost always exceeding the 150m threshold set by the CAA.

‘We know that red light for some reason is a particular problem for birds. A lot of passerines – waders, songbirds – migrate at night. It is these birds which are probably more likely to be susceptible to any impact. Evidence out in the States shows that lit structures can kill many thousands of birds overall.’

Research by Dr Douse has highlighted the scale of the problem. A meeting attended by the RSPB was told: ‘The consequences of attraction to lights can be catastrophic and involve mass kills.

‘In Europe, onshore turbine fatalities have been estimated as being about two to 60 per turbine per year, but mortality of nocturnally migrating songbirds at offshore wind farms may be as high as 100 to 1,000 per turbine per year.’

In Scotland there are almost 6,000 operational or planned turbines, onshore and offshore. And the trend is for the installation of ever bigger turbines. Dr Douse said: ‘Turbines are getting bigger. Bigger turbines are more efficient, they generate more electricity.’

RSPB conservation planner Charles Nathan said: ‘We would advocate for proper siting of wind farms, in areas that are not well used by birds during the day or night, or during migration periods.’

A CAA spokesman said: ‘Specification requires that medium-intensity, steady red lights be mounted.’

‘Lit structures can kill thousands of birds’