In an earlier post regarding wind turbines along the Lake Erie Shore, Bill Whan brings up a subject that, unfortunately, still has more questions than answers. There are many plans being discussed for wind turbines along the lake shore. But thankfully, there are efforts to study this issue so that informed decisions can be made. As one of the country's leading authorities on songbird migration, Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) has been proactive on this issue, and has been working alongside state and federal wildlife agencies to bridge the information gaps. BSBO has been part of the Ohio Wind Working Group (OWWG) from its inception in 2005, and we encourage more NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to get involved. So often, grassroots efforts are where progress is finally made in the environmental arena. We encourage you to visit the OWWG website, specifically the Environmental Action Team page, found here: http://ohiowind.org/Environmental-Action-Team.cms.aspx Please note the maps showing areas of wildlife concern in Ohio, the Environmental Action Team Fact Sheet, and the Pre and Post-Construction Monitoring Protocols. BSBO's long-term migration datasets have been instrumental in more than one commercial venture walking away during preliminary plans for placement in the western basin. This could be one of the greatest conservation values that BSBO's research projects provide when all is said and done. Alternative energy is, of course, a good thing, but it all boils down to location, location, location. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has developed voluntary guidelines for commercial operations. Please note the voluntary part! Avian Concern Zones include areas within 3 miles of the lakeshore. There are considerable concerns for both birds and bats with commercial grade operations; the ones mentioned in Conneaut are not of that magnitude. They are not the behemoths involved in commercial operations which are 400 to 600 feet tall. How these mid-size turbines affect bird activity and survival is unknown, especially immediately along the lake. One or two is one thing, but when you're talking thousands of such structures that is another issue. Clearly, there remain more questions than answers. That, in part, is why the Ohio Division of Wildlife's waterbird surveys on the open lake were undertaken this past fall, to improve knowledge for informed decisions. This is a complex issue and every birder or nature enthusiast should be active in educating themselves on all sides of the issue. Aesthetics; mortality; sub-lethal effects; behavioral effects; "greenness;" habitat loss; all are out there with varying viewpoints. Unfortunately, when there's money to be made, all too often wildlife takes it on the chin. Kim Kaufman Executive Director Mark Shieldcastle Research Director Julie Shieldcastle Conservation Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory 13551 West State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 419-898-4070 www.bsbobird.org -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bill Whan Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:24 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Up, up, and Away! ...or so is the title of an article in the Conneaut Courier last Thursday, announcing the imminent start-up of two wind turbines on the lakefront, one 160 feet tall to supply power to the sewage plant and another of 210 feet for a middle school. No doubt many many other turbines are planned for the Lake Erie shore, and one wonders what their effect on birds will be... Bill Whan Columbus ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. 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Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]