What is known about the interaction of wind turbines and bats?
Bat collision mortality is known to occur at operating wind farms. The Bat Wind Energy Cooperative (www.batandwind.org), or BWEC, made up of representatives from Bat Conservation International, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Department of Energy, and wind energy companies is investigating the cause of bat collisions. Research focuses on areas to address concerns regarding bats and wind energy: i) pre-construction monitoring assesses bat activity levels; ii) post-construction studies estimate fatalities, compare fatality estimates among facilities, and determine patterns of fatality in relation to weather and habitat variables. This multi-dimensional approach will shape future research and determine what data collection and assessments specific to KCW are needed. Migratory bat assessments at KCW are occuring in 2009.
