-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: Eugenia Becker <heronflight99@xxxxxxxxx>
To: MidValley Birds <birding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [midvalleybirds] SALEM AUDUBON TUESDAY BIRDER'S NIGHT FOCUSES
ON WIND TURBINES AND EAGLES
Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2018 04:29:56 +0000 (UTC)
Birder’s Night – Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 6:30 PM
The Carrier Room – First United Methodist Church, 6000 State Street, Salem
“Reducing the Impacts of Wind Energy on Raptors”
Dr. Roberto Albertani, OSU Professor and Researcher
There are more than 50,000 wind turbines in use across the U.S. with more than
1,800 in Oregon alone. A study published in 2013 found that wind turbines were
responsible for more than 500,000 bird deaths, including 83,000 raptor deaths.
Critics of the wind turbines have pointed to deaths of bald and golden eagles
and bats, all of which are protected under federal law, as a fundamental
problem with the huge turbines. The towering propellers can stand 300 feet
tall and have blades with twice the wingspan of a Boeing 747. At their tips,
the blades can be moving at 200 mph. Thousands of birds and bats are killed
every year by the spinning blades of wind turbines.
So how do we support renewable clean energy derived from wind and still protect
raptors and bats from being killed? Dr. Roberto Albertani’s research at Oregon
State University combined with a unique partnership with the High Desert Museum
south of Bend strives to answer that question. The system Dr. Albertani is
designing, which detects not only when a bird hits one of the giant blades, but
also what species of bird it is, marks a step forward in protecting birds from
unnecessary fatalities.
Dr. Albertani uses the High Desert’s Museum’s collection of eagles to help
model behavior and flight patterns to develop technology that ultimately
reduces the number of golden eagles killed by wind turbines. His program will
focus on his field research using the raptors from the High Desert Museum and
how raptors can be deterred from colliding with wind turbines without affecting
wind turbine operations.
Dr. Albertani’s research interests include studying the environmental impact of
wind energy and biological flight mechanics. Come join us for an interesting
evening on how to make wind energy more raptor and wildlife friendly.
Salem Audubon Society Birder’s Night is a monthly program presented on the
second Tuesday of each month from September through May. The meetings are at
the First United Methodist Church. Please enter through the office entrance at
600 State Street. Meetings are free and open to the public. Salem Audubon
always appreciates donations to support its conservation, education, and
stewardship programs. Call (503) 588-7340 for more information.
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