Solving the problem of electrocution of endangered bird species in Croatia

Goran Suťić Ornithological station Rijeka Institute of Ornithology CASA

Solving the problem of electrocution of endangered bird species in Croatia

Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus) – wing span 240-280 cm

Why Griffon vultures collide with windmills and power lines?

Because these birds evolved their foraging strategies in a world in which obstacles did not intrude into their air space.

When in flight, vultures are often blind in the direction of travel Vulture’s enlarged brows (which give them characteristic angry look) help keep the sun out of their eyes – but stop them seeing forward when they peer down

Vulture’s wide lateral vision (seeing sideways) allows the birds to observe the behaviour of other vultures in the same airspace

Research done by Emeritus Professor Graham Martin, University of Birmingham’s School of Bioscience

Unique population of Griffon vulture on Kvarner Archipelago (Croatia)

Recent colonies

Extinct colonies

Mortality of Griffon vultures

Electrocution (10%) is one of the biggest threats for the Croatian population of Griffon vultures (next to drowning i.e. disturbance, poisoning and lack of food)

Electrocution/collision with power lines along flyways

Number of Griffon vultures electrocuted or injured/dead after collision with power lines is underestimated, as most of dead birds along flyways were reported as „reason of dead unknown�

Main flyway of Croatian Griffons between Alps and Greece… …should be protected!

White stork (Ciconia ciconia) Nest dimensions: • 180x180x80 cm Nest weight: • some more than 1 tone

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Insuficient data about stork electrocution on electric poles

White stork’s nests on electric poles Number of breeding White storks in Croatia: 1.800 pairs Number of nests built on electric poles: 1037

57,6 % of all White stork’s nests are on electric poles In 2013: 1.300 pairs In 2016: 1.800 pairs

Solutions for White storks: platforms

Wooden 1st type

Wooden 2nd type

Metal - lightning conductor strips

Platform on separate concrete pole

The best types of platforms

Metal, „basket” type

Metal – „lightning conductor strips” type

Data collected by Ministry of Environment

2008-2011 – 20 White strorks

2008-2011 – 12 Eagle owls (Bubo bubo)

2010-2011 – 11 Buzzards (Buteo buteo) and 4 Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis)

Data collected by our NGO 1 pylon killed: 7 Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) 11 Eagle owls (Bubo bubo), 8 Ravens (Corvus corax) 1 Herring gull (Larus cachinans).

2 Buzzards (Buteo buteo) 2 Kestrels Falco tinnunculus) 1 Tawny owl (Strix aluco), 1 Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

During 6 months in 2007 and 6 months in 2008 we have collected remains of 181 birds killed by electrocution on the Island of Cres

More than 50 of the “most dangerous� pylons were protected on the Island of Cres only

Protected pylons continue to kill birds of the Island of Cres • The most dangerous pylon (no 70) killed 30 birds (including 1 Griffon, 4 Eagle owls and 3 Ravens) after it was protected in 2012 • Pylon No 6 killed 21 birds • Pylon No 133 killed 6 birds (including 1 Griffon and 3 Kestrels) • Pylon no 10 killed 25 birds after it was protected in 2012 • Pylon No 117 build in 2008 and killed 7 birds (including 6 Buzzards) • Pylon 173 killed 23 birds (incl. 1 Short-toed Eagle, 3 Goshawks, 2 Buzzards, 3 Eagle owls) • Pylon No 175 killed 23 birds, inlc. 2 Griffons, 1 Golden eagle and 6 Eagle owls) In a period between 2008 and 2011 (after we made a monitoring in 2007 and 2008), 11 Griffon vultures, 3 Short-toed eagles, 1 Golden eagle, 1 Peregrine falcon and 37 Eagle owls and many other raptors were found, even under some „protected” pylons.

The beginning of cooperation of HEP-ODS and conservation bodies „started� in 1994

According to their reports, the cost of isolation material and equipment for protection is about 130.000 euro/year Apart of platforms for White-storks, the only other (partly) successful project was protection of medium voltage power lines pylons on the Island of Cres. Detailed maps of the most dangerous pylons concerning the foraging areas or migration flyways were produced, and locations of highest bird mortalities identified during the year 2013. During the next 2 years 57 pylons were protected.

HEP ODS has recently started an initiative to tackle this problem systematically, and a joint Memorandum of Understanding on the issue of bird conservation has been signed with the Bird Life partner BIOM.

Instead of conclusion: letter to director of HEP-DOS from Dr. Martin Schneider-Jakoby, 3 June 2002

Thank you for your attention.. ‌and a kiss to all by the gentle Griffons ď Š