Use Detection Dog Teams to Survey Wind Turbines for Bird and Bat Fatalities

Project ID: G18AC00119

Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

Partner Institution: University of Washington

Fiscal Year: 2018

Initial Funding: $166,756

Total Funding: $166,756

Project Type: Research

Principal Investigator: Wasser, Sam

Agreement Technical Representative: Katzner, Todd

Abstract: The goal of this research is to increase the precision of mortality estimates at wind energy sites. The program has been providing detection dog teams on wind energy projects for the past 4 years with phenomenal success. The objective is to compare a number of varying turbine sizes in an effort to determine the effect on mortality rates. The efficiency and precision of the detection teams will allow for better comparisons with greater confidence. Precise data on these rates will allow confident determination on what size turbines have a reduced effect on sensitive avian and bat populations.