Effectiveness of control measures for the red kite

There is an increased conflict potential between the interests of species conservation and the expansion of wind energy over large parts of the red kite's range. When planning and approving wind energy projects, the occurrence of a significantly increased mortality risk, particularly for collision-prone large species of birds at risk from wind power, must be prevented (Section 44(1) BNatSchG). A range of proposed measures has been included in the approval process to date.

The main aim of the research project is to minimise uncertainties about the effectiveness of the measures and to close the species protection and legally relevant gaps in knowledge when operationalising preventative measures as part of the approval process for wind turbines. The overall aim of the research project is to optimise the planning and approval procedures and to minimise the risk and the adverse effects on the affected species (birds of prey sensitive to wind turbines, particularly the red kite), by using field studies to

• Research control measures via targeted adaptation of the farming methods;
• Research the attractive effect due to various farming practices (particularly mowing/harvesting and ploughing) with a particular focus on the duration and spatial extent of the effect;
• Achieve a technical evaluation of the effectiveness and suitability of the mitigation measures studied;
• Produce a detailed study, both for the complex of control or diversionary measures and also for temporary limitations to operating times for agricultural management practices;
• Produce practical recommendations for nature conservation-related implementation and design of the measures and the necessary conditions, for example for approval.

The key component of the project is in-house field research on the spatial usage behaviour and on relevant environmental variables (e.g. land use and land management) that are carried out in the various research areas with differing ecological conditions. The planned surveys are carried out as repeated random samples in two study years using the two mutually supporting approaches of satellite telemetry (individual focus) and land use observation (area focus).