Think about these questions:

Is the mortality rate due to the invasive nature to breeding habitat, both
on the ground and in the air?

If there is no mandatory protocol enforceable in a court of law for wind
development, how can any data be relied upon to be accumulated for decision
making?

If all types of landscapes are fragmented, including interior forests and
mountaintops such as what is happening in PA, will this decrease breeding
success?

If natural food sources are replaced by invasive species will this reduce
breeding success?

What happens to a bird in migration taking advantage of a tail wind with
limited body fat when it is forced to change its course to detour around
wind turbines?

How will a migrant flying at night see the tips of a blade on a wind
turbine?

If birds are attracted to lighted towers, will they not be attracted to
lighted wind turbines?  Refer to American Bird Conservancy tower kill.

Will the additional transmission lines and guy-wired towers contribute to
bird mortality?

Will a raptor who is perched on a disengaged wind turbine understand when
the blades start to move?

Will these same birds be focused on their prey or the movement of the wind
turbine?

Will birds trying to avoid becoming prey think about getting away or
avoiding the wind turbine?

If wind turbines are placed on rises in landscapes, will migrants flying
near that height adjust their altitude to compensate?

Will a bird forced down in inclement weather have the time or energy to
dodge wind turbines?

These are just a few of the unanswered questions I have about wind power and
birds.

Vicci Weeks


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