RSPB and other organisations have produced the first maps revealing some of England’s most sensitive sites for wind farm development. They highlight important but unprotected land where thousands of birds could be at risk if wind turbines were to be built. RSPB supports wind farm development because in this way, the impacts of climate change can be contained but also stresses the importance of avoiding the location of wind turbines along migration flyways.

AEWA welcomes the work done by RSPB and other organisations in mapping the most sensitive sites in England for wind farm development; this might be a suitable model to be followed at other locations along the African-Eurasian Flyways. It is clear that if wind farms are developed in the wrong place they might have a detrimental effect on migratory birds incl. AEWA species. Regarding the latter, the impacts of wind farms have already been observed e.g. collision leading to direct mortality; disturbance, displacement or exclusion from the whole wind farm area; barriers to movement disrupting links between feeding, wintering, breeding and moulting areas; change to or loss of habitat due to wind turbines and associated infrastructure. It is hoped that more of these maps will be developed and closely consulted when planning new wind farms in future.

For more information please visit: http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/02/rspb_windfarms.htm