Impact of a Wind Farm on the Avifauna of a Mediterranean Mountainous Environment

Abstract

Possible avian mortality rates due to the presence of a wind farm on Kefalonia Island, Greece, were studied and no bird deaths were recorded. The most commonly occurring species were Buteo buteo and Falco tinnunculus. These species generally have low ecological sensitivity. During the approach of individuals (predators or other large species) close to the turbine area, either no reaction or a slight change in direction by the birds was observed. Similarly, the most frequent type of interaction was flight between pairs of turbines, while less frequent was flight parallel to or above the turbines.

Keywords

• wind farm
• avifauna
• impact assessment
• mountainous ecosystem
• Kefalonia