For the Birds

ISSUE: Fall 2009, frontlines | August 26, 2009

In southern Texas, the Peñascal Wind Farm sits in the midst of one of North America's primary waterfowl migration flyways. During migration season, birds cross the sky above the spinning turbines at a rate of up to 4,000 an hour. To reduce collisions between geese and giant rotating blades, the company employs radar-based sensors to scan the skies for approaching birds. The technology, developed for NASA, can detect a migrating flock from up to four miles away, pinpointing its altitude as well as its density. If the birds are headed for trouble, the turbines are shut down.

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Comments

Butterfly.Wing wrote on August 27, 2009, 04:10PM : Flag this comment as inappropriate

Thank You for doing your part..in caring and not just seeing $$$$$$$$.
chuck2251 wrote on September 24, 2009, 09:27PM : Flag this comment as inappropriate

that shows a great spirit of co operation.high frequence emitters may also be of some use.
David Davidson wrote on November 07, 2009, 10:44AM : Flag this comment as inappropriate

I've just spoken to my south Texas contacts. This information is completely false - propaganda. Pensucal will not let anyone on the site to check the effects of the turbines on the birds and bats in the area. They have not agreed to shut down the turbines if problems with birds are detected, and their radar for bird detection is reportedly inadequate. Penuscal seem to have a good PR machine.