Wildlife Monitoring at Wind Farms: A Case Study on Night-Flying Fauna

Monitoring nocturnal wildlife at wind farms presented significant challenges. Recorders were typically installed at heights above 20 meters during maintenance outages, rather than monthly. This limited the ability to collect continuous data. Consequently, the lack of detailed records at higher altitudes made it difficult to accurately understand the behavior of nocturnal wildlife and its interactions with infrastructure, hampering decision-making for environmental impact mitigation and biodiversity conservation at these facilities.

To address this challenge, Applus+ designed and implemented a strategic plan that combined technology and specialized training. Certified safety equipment, including descenders, harnesses, and helmets, was employed, and personnel were trained in high-altitude work and DC3-certified rescue operations. One of the challenges was the availability of rescue descenders—safety devices designed to allow rescuers to descend in a controlled manner from a height. These devices are often difficult to obtain, but Applus+ was already familiar with them through its experience in wind turbine inspections.

Within 30 days, the recorders were successfully installed at heights of up to 80 meters, enabling more accurate and continuous monitoring of nocturnal aerial wildlife.

The project's objective was to collect more reliable and detailed data for environmental decision-making and to improve wildlife conservation efforts at wind farms.

In addition to various environmental monitoring systems and extensive experience in wind energy services, Applus+ offers a wide range of biodiversity assessment and conservation services to help public and private organizations from various sectors conserve wildlife and ecosystems.