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Could Windfarms And Birds Get Along After All?

Posted by timothy on from the let's-just-use-every-part-of-the-bird dept.

going_the_2Rpi_way writes "There's an ongoing argument as to whether wind farms actually are as environmentally friendly as is generally imagined. Opponents argue that the effect these farms have on local wildlife (birds, bats, etc.) may range from disruptive to devastating. Well, it seems they've hit a nerve and ecologists are beginning addressing the issue and have begun to found some encouraging results: Birds not being killed. The debate goes on ..."

6 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Whackos by my_fake_account · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The crackpots who are trying to stop windpower because it might kill birds should concentrate on the things that actually are killing birds: cars, cats, buildings, and loss of habitat.

    1. Re:Whackos by Idarubicin · · Score: 4, Insightful
      The crackpots who are trying to stop windpower because it might kill birds should concentrate on the things that actually are killing birds: cars, cats, buildings, and loss of habitat.

      As often as not, the people protesting the construction of wind farms aren't actually concerned about the wildlife. They are often local landowners who are concerned about the effect that wind farms may have on their view, on noise, or on their property value.

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      ~Idarubicin
    2. Re:Whackos by Murphy+Murph · · Score: 2, Insightful
      The crackpots who are trying to stop windpower because it might kill birds should concentrate on the things that actually are killing birds: cars, cats, buildings, and loss of habitat.


      Are you suggesting that expressing concern and raising an awareness about another source of migratory bird death puts somebody in the "crackpot" category?

      More Americans die every year as a result of automobile accidents than as a result of prostate cancer. Does this mean that anyone raising awareness about prostate cancer is a crackpot?

      It's not an either/or world. IF wind powered generators are killing birds then that needs to be considered when evaluating wind farms' value to society. Just because wind farms are not the primary cause of bird deaths by humans does not mean that the issue should not be addressed.

      IF windfarms are not a large threat to birds then great, it makes things easier, but that still does not discredit those who had previously expressed concerns.
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      I dub thee... Sir Phobos, Knight of Mars, Beater of Ass.
  2. Won't someone think of the birds? by rqqrtnb · · Score: 2, Insightful


    Let's convene a conference about birds being killed by paned glass.

    Maybe the UN can get hold of the issue and negotiate a deal with glassmakers that would see them manage a fund dedicated to supporting the abandoned chicks of deceased winged parents cut-down by clear glass panes.

    Then they could siphon a little off for themselves and their immediate relatives and remain beyond the reach of the law, even as they grandstand as the judges of right and wrong in the world.

    Birds are also being killed by the avian flu. Those concerned should be developing and distributing an innoculation for birds everywhere, but they're not, are they?

    Perhaps those claiming to be avian rights supporters should be placed on trial by the UN after the UN has first secured the aforementioned sweet deal over the glass panes, at which point it might accuse the world's chief bird rights organization of fraud, misrepresentation, malfeasance and the mismanagement of the public trust.

    This organization might become the subject of various resolutions, after which it might be accused of developing weapons of mass destruction, preparing the way for sanctions, an economic embargo and eventual invasion.

    If you're going to go around claiming to care for birds, you'd g*ddam*ed well better be caring for birds, and not just pretending to while you pursue your hidden, nefarious anti-windmill agenda.

  3. That's just silly by Claire-plus-plus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Here in Australia one of the biggest killers of birds is the heat and drought (8 years and counting) and cats (of course). I have seen birds just fall out of the sky dead on 40c plus days. With global warming we can expect to see that even more... therefore wind farms might save the lives of the birds in an indirect way.

    It concerns me that the people who complain about wind farms might be funded by the producers of fossil fuel power. There are anti-windfarm people here in Oz and a lot of their propoganda is funded by a company that owns a coal-fired power plant. Bah.

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    99 bottles of beer in 175 characte
  4. Preventative measures by cuteseal · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Airports face the same problems with birds and geese and such flying into jet turbines and causing disruptions to planes.

    Perhaps they could use the same strategies and techniques mentioned here

    The Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers has trained a 2-year-old border collie to chase birds away from the airport

    Broadcasting bird distress calls to see if they can convince the birds to go elsewhere.

    Bringing in trained hawks to intimidate smaller birds.

    Stopping lawn mowing. If the grass around the airport is 7 to 14 inches high, it makes it harder for birds to peck for food

    Set out a little bird food with purgatives to make the birds sick enough to move on to a better food supply

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