Update from the Denver AWEA Wind Power Project Siting Workshop

It’s been a busy day here in downtown Denver as the AWEA Wind Power Project Siting Workshop kicked off, and it shows no signs of letting up.  Some of the biggest names in the business are in attendance and giving presentations, and a few have stopped by the NRC booth.  Topics that have been discussed include siting projects on federal and state lands, working with landowners, and the up-and-coming U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guidance on minimizing impacts to birds and bats.

The conversations we’ve had with folks have been stimulating and engaging – it’s always great to have the opportunity to swap ideas with other folks working in the industry.  Our discussions have ranged from the technical aspects of assessing risk to birds and bats, to gaining a better understanding of wind resource assessment technology.  There are a lot of very smart folks here doing a lot of very impressive work.  If you’re at the workshop or in town please stop by our booth – we’d love to hear about the work you are doing in the wind industry.

NRC Wildlife Biologists Publish Paper in The Passenger Pigeon: Journal of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

NRC Wildlife Biologists Brian Bub and James Engelhardt recently coauthored a paper on Osprey responses to disturbance.  The abstract for this article is below - also be sure to check out the full version of the article.

The Response of Nesting Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) to Maintenance Activities along Transmission Lines in Central Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) population has increased in recent decades, in part due to their adaptation to using artificial nest supports (e.g., power line structures and communications towers), as well as the provision of artificial nesting platforms.  The response of nesting Ospreys to human disturbance varies in context with timing and the type of activity.  Between the 2006 and 2008 breeding seasons, we evaluated the behavioral response of four pairs of nesting Ospreys to electric transmission line maintenance activities at three nests in Adams and Wood Counties and one nest in Marquette County, Wisconsin.  All observations were conducted during unscheduled emergency maintenance at electrical transmission line H-frame structures.  One Osprey nest occurred on the actual H-frame structure being maintained, and the other three nests were on adjacent structures to those being maintained (<300 m away).  In each case, Ospreys showed temporary distress during maintenance activities, but resumed normal activities upon completion of work.  Our observations suggest that in some cases, Ospreys are tolerant of temporary disturbance during the nesting period.

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Update: Scott's Presentation from the AOU Conference

As promised, here's the powerpoint that accompanied Scott's presentation at the American Ornithologists' Union conference in San Diego:

NRC to Attend AWEA Wind Power Project Siting Workshop in Denver February 17-18, 2010

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) will be hosting a workshop in Denver, Colorado in mid-February focusing on the siting of wind energy facilities.  NRC will be staffing a booth at the event and several of our wind energy experts will be in attendance.  This event promises to be of great interest to those involved in the wind industry.  Topics will include:

• Visual impacts and stakeholder relations
• Regional permitting structure for wind projects
• Regional transmission initiatives
• Sage Grouse and Prairie Chicken concern/issues
• Site construction

If you will be attending this event please stop by the NRC booth and talk with some of our experts.

To find out more about this event, visit the AWEA conference website

NRC Avian Biologist to Present at 2010 American Ornithologists’ Union Conference in San Diego, CA

The 128th annual meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, a top professional organization for scientists who study the biology and ecology of birds, will be held next week in San Diego, California.  This year’s meeting is being hosted jointly with other major ornithological professional organizations, including:  the Cooper Ornithological Society and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. NRC avian biologist Scott Yanco will be in attendance and will be presenting the results of some of his research regarding nest-site selection of Flammulated Owls in central Colorado.  This research is part of a larger, ongoing project concerning habitat selection and population demography in the species, lead by Dr. Brian Linkhart of the Colorado College, Department of Biology.

Flammulated Owls are listed as a Forest Service Sensitive Species and are highly dependent on mature forests.  Many of these forests are subject to increased pressure from timber harvest, expanding development, and the effects of fire suppression.  Dr. Linkhart’s research, which has been ongoing since 1981, has contributed greatly to our understanding of the species and has helped land and resource managers make more informed decisions regarding the use of America’s public lands.

Check back here later in the week for the digital version of Scott’s presentation.