NatForWINSENT I

As part of this first nature conservation research project at the WINSENT test site, separate research concepts for birds and bats were initially developed in 2017/2018. The aim of the concepts was to generate results that could contribute to solving species conservation conflicts in wind energy expansion. In particular, the focus was on using the infrastructure of the test site and its framework conditions for these studies. This is because the test site offers optimal conditions for testing the effectiveness of designed avoidance measures. As a result, recommendations for measures to protect birds and bats during the operation of wind turbines are to be derived from the knowledge gained.

The concepts to be developed should also focus in particular on investigations into the relationship between the behavior of birds and bats and weather conditions, as meteorological parameters such as wind speed, visibility, precipitation and temperature are permanently recorded at many points on the test site. Understanding the interrelationships can help to develop optimal operating algorithms with the greatest possible protection of species. A before-and-after comparison will also be used to determine the fundamental effects of operating wind turbines on birds and bats, e.g. in the course of investigating behavioral patterns.

The development of the research concepts was accompanied by two expert groups in which relevant experts in the research fields of birds, bats and wind energy were involved.

An important part of the NatForWINSENT-I project was also the initial fundamental work on the development of an automated bird recording system based on optical cameras with species identification using machine learning methods (artificial intelligence). This work was the basis for the development of the BirdRecorders.