Do Wind Turbines Kill Birds?

[GuyF]

I am thinking of buying one of those small wind turbines that you put on your roof to save some energy. However, I read that the huge wind turbines in Scotland have been responsible for the deaths of sea eagles and hen harriers. I was wondering whether a small wind turbine could be a danger to the garden birds.
Thanks
GuyF

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, a lot has been made (by oil lobbyists in particular) of the danger of wind turbines for birds, especially large raptors. There are certainly areas of concern that need considering and alleviating.
However, on your smaller scale (smaller fan, lower speed &c) there is little likelihood of danger to birds unless you are directly in some flight path! But worth checking out ...

Originally Posted by GuyF

I am thinking of buying one of those small wind turbines that you put on your roof to save some energy. However, I read that the huge wind turbines in Scotland have been responsible for the deaths of sea eagles and hen harriers. I was wondering whether a small wind turbine could be a danger to the garden birds. GuyF

[nightshade]

Try and see one working somewhere in a similar environment to your own
They can be noisey and lead to bad feeling between neighbours

[Mr Mag00]

having seen a number of these small turbines in action, they are very quiet indeed as the noise is usually carried away on the wind .
however they can produce vibrations in the house if not installed properly.

[Wild-Woman]

This is probably going to sound daft but why can't they install them with a sort of guard over them like a fan?

[speckled wood]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

This is probably going to sound daft but why can't they install them with a sort of guard over them like a fan?

I understand that the smaller ones can be fitted with wire mesh guards.

[GuyF]

Thanks for all your advice everyone,
I will try and get a mesh cover for my turbine, or make one myself.
Thanks again
GuyF

[numeniusaqua]

I saw something on TV where you could see bird skeletons beneath a big turbine which had clearly collided with it- but the tips of these big ones are travelling supersonic, so are apparently not as visible as your small one will be. But to counter the oil lobby, I wonder if wind turbines kill more birds than oil spills do - anyone who can remember the horrific pictures of birds in agony through ingesting oil when tankers leak/sink, would probably question the oil lobby's claim. I seem to recall that many many thousands die when a tnaker goes down - I doubt anything even approaching that have been killed by turbines.

[The Woodman]

It's also worth checking to find out if there are any bat roosts in the vicinity of the turbines proposed location especially if it is going to be mounted close to a house.

It could interfere with flightlines to and from a roost or feeding habitat, a check with your local bat group may give you the information you require.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by numeniusaqua

I saw something on TV where you could see bird skeletons beneath a big turbine which had clearly collided with it- but the tips of these big ones are travelling supersonic, so are apparently not as visible as your small one will be. But to counter the oil lobby, I wonder if wind turbines kill more birds than oil spills do - anyone who can remember the horrific pictures of birds in agony through ingesting oil when tankers leak/sink, would probably question the oil lobby's claim. I seem to recall that many many thousands die when a tnaker goes down - I doubt anything even approaching that have been killed by turbines.

I can assure you without doubt that wind turbine tips do not travel at supersonic speeds