What about the impact on birds?

Some people argue that wind turbines are responsible for causing high numbers of bird deaths and injuries. However, there is no evidence to suggest that sensitively located turbines, out of the way of important bird areas, result in high levels of bird mortality. This assumption based on experiences at two wind farms which were constructed over a decade ago - Altamont Pass in California and Tarifa in Southern Spain, where relatively high numbers of bird deaths have occurred. However, both these locations support large numbers of turbines, with over 5,400 in California and over 1,000 in Spain and both sites are within known migratory routes, which are used intensively by protected bird species.

The Department for Trade and Industry has produced a fact sheet on Wind Energy, which states that: "Evidence to date suggests that there is minimal risk to birds from the operation of properly sited wind turbines. There are just a few cases where birds have been injured through collision with wind turbines. These should be considered in the context of the number of bird deaths caused by collision with radio masts, electricity pylons, aircraft etc. Monitoring studies at operational wind farms in the UK indicate that, in general, birds live in harmony with wind turbines."

The World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation (WWF) has also published a policy statement on renewable energy in the UK, which outlines that there is no evidence that wind turbines have a measurable effect on bird mortality. The statement concludes that: "It has been shown that strikes are highly unlikely to occur during good visibility conditions and in poor visibility birds are less likely to be in the vicinity of turbines. Further it has been found that most birds tend to fly over or around the turbines".

As part of our site selection process, through discussions with English Nature, the local Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, we aim to avoid any sites which are important for protected bird species or which are in close proximity to designated nature conservation areas. Research undertaken by independent academics including: Thomas, R., 2001, An Assessment of the Impact of Wind Turbines on Birds at Ten Windfarm Sites in the UK, Sustainable Development International, pp 215-219 and Kerlinger, P., et al, 2001, Avian Issues and Potential Impacts Associated with Wind Power, AWS Scientific, New York, has found that well sited turbines do not significantly affect birds. The RSPB is in principle supportive of wind power. Studies at Blyth off shore wind farm suggest a 1 in 10,000 collision rate . To put this into perspective 10 million birds are killed by cars in the UK every year.