Study

Rate of bird collision with power lines: effects of conductor-marking and static wire-marking

  • Published source details Janss G.F.E. & Ferrer M. (1998) Rate of bird collision with power lines: effects of conductor-marking and static wire-marking. Journal of Field Ornithology, 69, 8-17.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Mark power lines to reduce incidental bird mortality

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. Mark power lines to reduce incidental bird mortality

    A controlled before-and-after study of three different markers at three sites in Spain in 1991-5 (Janss & Ferrer 1998) found that markers differed in their effects. In grassland and arable land in Badajoz, collision mortality across all species was 81% lower following the installation of white plastic spirals (expected mortality of 47 birds, actual mortality of nine). In mixed cattle grazing and cereal cropland in Cáceres, the total number of collisions (72) remained constant following the installation of neoprene strips, but there was a 76% reduction in collision mortality when great bustards Otis tarda were excluded from the analysis. In a wetland in Huelva there was no difference in collision mortality after the installation of black plastic strips (6 collisions in marked vs. 12 in unmarked spans). Plastic spirals were 1m long, 30 cm maximum diameter and placed every 10 m on static wires, staggered to give the appearance of a 5 m placement. Neoprene bands were crossed black strips, 35 x 5 cm with a 5 x 4 cm phosphorescent stripe, installed every 20 m on conductor wires and staggered to give the appearance of a 10 m placement. Black plastic stripes were 70 x 0.8 cm and hung every 12 m on a distribution line.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust