Tags could show how birds avoid turbines

MINIATURE “bird backpacks” or tiny tracking tags on tail feathers could help reveal how wild birds move around offshore wind farms.

The technology is among suggestions put forward in response to a challenge from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, on behalf of offshore wind farms, to come up with more reliable and robust tags to monitor seabirds.

The tags have to weigh no more than three per cent of the bird’s overall body weight, have a battery capable of lasting for 12 months, be strong enough to withstand attacks and offer a quick-release mechanism to prevent snagging.

Proposals include a bird backpack which would contain solarpowered GPS systems, and discreet tags which attach to the tail feathers.

Four shortlisted companies – Pathtrack, the British Trust for Ornithology, Ornitela and Debug Innovations – are now working to targets to find the best technology and test it fully prior to deployment around wind farm developments in the Moray Firth in the north of Scotland.

The successful company or companies will see their device first used on greater blackbacked gulls, although it will need to be adaptable for other bird species.

ORE Catapult project manager Vicky Coy said: “Developing a tag that withstands a bird’s natural behaviour is key to developing a greater understanding of their movements.

“It’s more difficult than it sounds, but the solutions suggested are ingenious.”

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