Reducing bird mortality caused by power lines

In France, Belgium and Portugal, there are more than 180,000 km of high-voltage electric lines and 1.65 million km of medium and low-voltage lines. The electricity system is highly meshed, threatening some bird species.

Risks to Bird Species

There are multiple risks: collision with electric cables, electrocution, and disturbance. Every year, millions of birds die from collision or electrocution with power lines. Birds’ activities, especially breeding, are also disrupted by electricity, transport, and distribution maintenance. This can lead to nest abandonment and poor reproduction.

Project Goal

LIFE SAFELINES4BIRDS’ goal is to reduce non-natural mortality of 13 representative bird species by reducing the negative impact of their interactions with power lines. The aim is to ensure that high-risk power lines and dangerous poles and transmission towers are retrofitted using state-of-the-art and innovative technical standards for bird safety.

Targeted Species

The species targeted are considered some of the most impacted by power lines:

• Little Bustard
• Bearded Vulture
• Bonelli’s Eagle
• Cinereous Vulture
• Egyptian Vulture
• Lesser Kestrel
• Common Crane
• Osprey
• White Stork
• Black Stork
• Eurasian Woodcock
• Eurasian Curlew
• Northern Lapwing

Collision Mitigation Strategies

To tackle mortality caused by collisions, the project will enable new anti-collision equipment and methods in addition to the installation of 3,880 anti-collision beacons, which should reduce collisions by 43-80%. The American Avian Collision Avoidance System will be tested on two sites, aiming to reduce collision-related mortality by up to 98%. Lines will also be dismantled and put underground.

Electrocution Prevention Measures

To struggle against electrocution, 750 poles will be equipped with neutralization and deterrence devices. Additionally, 184 platforms will be installed for nesting. The design of high-risk pylons will be modified, with 10 of them being changed.

Disturbance Reduction Approaches

To avoid disturbance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles will be used, and planning will be adapted to breeding seasons.