Wind Turbines and Bats

[RobinP]

Extermination? Apparently bats are affected by the sound frequency of these things, part from them mincing up birds.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by RobinP

Extermination? Apparently bats are affected by the sound frequency of these things, part from them mincing up birds.

It isn't the sound, but the turbulence behind the tips of the blades, which causes a low pressure area that explodes the bats lungs if they pass through it. Birds have more rigid skeletons, and don't suffer in this way

henrya

[Rob_D]

Most bats avoid flying out in the open don't they? Are there some species that might be more vulnerable to wind turbines than others because of this?

I like "susurration" the best so far.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

Most bats avoid flying out in the open don't they? Are there some species that might be more vulnerable to wind turbines than others because of this?

I like "susurration" the best so far.

No, I don't think bats avoid flying in the open when they need to get from A to B

henrya

[Rob_D]

I am sure there are exceptions (like Noctule) but I found this on Batscapes - For People and Bats

"Linear habitats such as hedgerows, ditches, treelines and the edges of watercourses like rivers and canals are important foraging places that provide shelter together with an abundance of insects for bats to feed upon. Linear features are also used by bats as commuting routes between different feeding sites. Commuting route features are of prime importance because many species of bat do not like to fly across open areas. Even gaps as small as 10m may prevent bats using hedgerows and tree lines. Linear features found together such as a ditch running along side a hedgerow can be especially rich in insects and of particular value to foraging bats."

My thought was that big wind-turbines tend to be situated on the tops in upland areas where there are few trees, hedges or ditches, and in very windy places. Such places are not good habitat for many insects and equally not good for bats. So I am suggesting that wind-farms are not a major threat to UK bats, whatever the cause-of-death might be if they did fly into one.

[thunder]

Quote
Even gaps as small as 10m may prevent bats using hedgerows and tree lines.
Endquote

Note the word "may". Bats certainly do spend time flying over open countryside

Quote
My thought was that big wind-turbines tend to be situated on the tops in upland areas where there are few trees, hedges or ditches, and in very windy places. Such places are not good habitat for many insects and equally not good for bats. So I am suggesting that wind-farms are not a major threat to UK bats, whatever the cause-of-death might be if they did fly into one.
Endquote

You had better visit East Anglia, where the wind farms are sited in flat countryside! The truth is, we just do not know how big a threat windfarms are to UK bats, as few (if any) sites are monitored properly, if at all. This work needs to be done urgently.

henrya

[Rob_D]

Originally Posted by thunder

You had better visit East Anglia, where the wind farms are sited in flat countryside! The truth is, we just do not know how big a threat windfarms are to UK bats, as few (if any) sites are monitored properly, if at all. This work needs to be done urgently.

henrya

Henrya, I live in East Anglia. Not counting Scrooby Sands there are only something like 70-80 large turbines. They are mostly situated in fenland, with very few trees or hedgerows - not exactly idea bat habitat anyway. The turbine blades of most of these windfarms are above 30m from the ground too so MOST bats are unlikely to get anywhere near them.

Of course there are a fair few smaller turbines which could well be much worse. For example, the one at Cley built by the NWT! Perhaps they might have some data on how many bats have been killed?

I do agree that we do not know what the threat is, and it is prudent to consider the threat to bats when siting turbines, and also to carry out some more studies. And I agree about the risks of microturbines which get sited much lower down and nearer hedgerows and trees.

But despite the lack of studies, I am sure there are much bigger threats to bats than wind farms.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

But despite the lack of studies, I am sure there are much bigger threats to bats than wind farms.

I agree and have to say, the threats, if any, that turbines pose to our bat population doesn't unduly alarm me. It is the threat they pose to our glorious uplands that does.

Regards, Chris

[forfi]

Lets put a little perspective on this just for the record m'lud. I have bats in me roof and I am happy and delighted with this. But if i block the way in and out for me little mates then i will be prosecuted and hung drawn and quartered. Well OK then forget the hanging etc bit,but i will be prosecuted and rightly so. Is it being suggested that some knucklehead can then build a windfactory and murder me little pals ?

[Digit]

About right forfi, we have Pipistrels and Horseshoe bats here and a delight they are.
I must confess that I am surprised at the suggestion that wind turbines can harm them. The local eyesores never seem to be moving when bats are flying and wouldn't think that bats would be flying in the wind speeds that get the turbines moving.
Not that more than two out of three ever seem to be working at one time.
A great big con!
Now this is a renewable source that does make sense

Energy Firm Scottish Power Announces Plans To Build Worlds Biggest Tidal Power Plant Off Britain | Business | Sky News

Roy.