Wind energy impact on eagles studied

A study of industrial wind plants' impact on golden eagle migration in Pennsylvania is underway.

"The recent increase in wind energy development projects in Pennsylvania has raised several important wildlife conservation concerns, one of which is the potential impacts to raptors during their migrations," explained Bill Capouillez, director of wildlife habitat management for the Pa. Game Commission (PGC). "Through a voluntary cooperative agreement with wind energy developers, we hope to address the remaining issues related to potential wildlife impacts. Turbine locations should ultimately be the product of a thorough wildlife impact analysis."

The study will identify areas of potential conflict that migrating eagles face as they travel to reach their nesting grounds in eastern Canada or wintering grounds in the southern reaches of the mountain chain.

For more than two decades, the eastern golden eagle has been recognized as a geographically and genetically isolated population. Its official designation by the PGC is "vulnerable."

"We must ascertain what risks to wildlife instate wind turbines pose, especially since impacts have been documented in-state and elsewhere," Capouillez said.

Last year, the PGC approved a $153,000 project to monitor the preconstruction and postconstruction mortality of bats and birds at the proposed 36- turbine Penobscot Mountain Wind Farm in Luzerne County. This year's study is funded by a $25,000 PGC grant and an additional $150,000 from the National Aviary and Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Researchers will trap, fit and release golden eagles with a transmitter that will record their movements through GPS technology. The data will be used to generate maps showing migration routes and habitat use.

Golden eagles are about the same size as bald eagles. They soar more than they flap while flying, and lack the distinctive white head that defines a mature bald eagle.