New paper using expert knowledge to study European hen harrier & short-eared owl #conservation (a thread). #OpenAccess paper in BirdLife International Bird Cons Intl: doi.org/10.1017/S09592… Work done Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, UCC Sustainability Institute MKO Research BirdWatch Ireland Vogelbescherming NL Grauwe Kiekendief - Kenniscentrum Akkervogels #ornithology

Seven harriers tagged in Germany! 3 Montagu's in collaboration with BUND & 4 Marsh harriers with ABU Soest for research on habitat use and collision risk with wind turbines. Photos: Margret Bunzel-Drükel, Christian Härting Monty's: Luise Boldt

Up until now, threats to the Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl have mainly just been analysed on a country-by-country scale. This new assessment uses expert knowledge to create a bigger picture of how the two raptors are faring across Europe 👉 bit.ly/3k96Scu #ornithology

#Harriers are also my study system. Have deployed 41 GPS tags this year on 35 hen and 6 Monties. To investigate their interactions with wind turbines among other things. Towards biodiversity friendly wind energy development. Grauwe Kiekendief - Kenniscentrum Akkervogels @NEFieldUnit RSPB Science IMBE

Contrast painting of wind turbine blades (painting 1 of 3 blades black) reduced bird collisions by up to 70% in Smola, Norway. More studies needed to test the effectiveness of this practice across regions and species. In Ecology and Evolution: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6… Tethys

Our recent paper on #henharrier & short-eared owl #conservation featured in #theBOUblog. With incredible artwork by Alex Mascarell!

The fate of young Hen Harriers is one of the most important unanswered questions about the ecology of the extremely vulnerable Dutch breeding population. Following their movements with satellite and GPS-tags has now yielded the first insights. Collab with Vogelbescherming NL & Sovon Vogelonderzoek Nederland

Roe deer stress response to wind farms: Elevated stress hormone levels in roe deer in larger but not in smaller wind farms (by area & n turbines). Published in Ecological Indicators: doi.org/10.1016/j.ecol…

Our wildlife-wind energy research covered by #theBOUblog. The full #OpenAccess paper is available here: doi.org/10.1016/j.scit…

On the importance of evidence-based policies & nature-friendly siting if renewable energies are to help us combat #climatechange without contributing to the #biodiversity crisis. In Science Magazine: science.sciencemag.org/content/370/65… JuanMa Perez-García

Species ranges are dynamic - using predictive modelling for expanding/recovering/reintroduced populations can improve decision-making to avoid wildlife-wind energy impacts. Study on bearded vulture in the Swiss Alps in Global Ecology & Conservation: doi.org/10.1016/j.gecc…

To be truly sustainable, #renewable energy production must consider all potential impacts on biodiversity. Including those derived from mining for metals required for renewable infrastructure. Overlap between mines and wilderness areas in Nature Communications: doi.org/10.1038/s41467…

Using predictive modelling based on GPS-tracking of Verraux's eagles to inform wind turbine placement in South Africa. In Journal of Applied Ecology: doi.org/10.1111/1365-2… And in The Conversation: theconversation.com/finding-space-…

A review by Dr Nicola Largey et al on the different methods used to quantify airspace use by birds around wind turbines. In British Ornithologists' Union: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ib…

News Release: Peregrine Fund research demonstrates that use of new IdentiFlight camera technology resulted in an 82% reduction of eagle fatalities at a wind energy site. ow.ly/svaW50Deybj

⚠️CANCELLED⚠️ Unfortunately due to an extended weather warning we have to cancel our experiment. It will be rescheduled for a future date. Please keep an eye on this page and MKO for future updates.

Our experiment has been rescheduled for *this Saturday*. See details below👇

Great to see these birds re-colonising parts of their old range. Hopefully they'll make the flight into ROI in coming seasons.

If you are in Galway this Saturday volunteers are needed for the following research project. Ollscoil na Gaillimhe | University of Galway MKO Research

📢One day to go until MKO Research experiment 📅2nd September 2023 🕚11am Registration 📍Dangan Sportsground, University of Galway For more information, email: Nicola Largey [email protected] #MKO #Research Wind Energy Ireland SEAI