Windmills in NJ vs Raptors

[Judi]

I figured that I'd mount the houses that are on fences in the area and sold locally.

That's a good way to go.  They're most likely the right kind of box for whatever bats you have in the area.

One thing that most people don't know about bats is how they get airborne - they don't "launch" themselves into the air like birds do, they kind of fall from where they are perching and then start flapping.  So you want to make sure that the box is mounted high enough for them to have enough room underneath to take off from.

Good luck with the bat boxes!

Judi

[Dot_Forrester]

The first post in this topic was about a proposed wind turbine plant in NJ along the raptor and bat migration route.  I live in PA and we have many similar wind energy projects pending.  All will be disastrous to bats and raptors.  I hate to think of "our" falcons chopped up by windmills.  This migration route along the Appalachian ridges runs from the southern states through Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.  The world-famous Hawk Mountain near me is part of this chain and draws thousands of visitors to watch the raptor migration in spring and fall.

Wind power is valuable "green" energy.  But we cannot take the risk of losing our already endangered raptor and bat species.  We need to keep the wind farms off this migration path.

I have been busy writing letters against installing turbines along this migratory route that has already or will result in massive kills of bats and raptors.  If you live anywhere on the Appalachian route and want to do something to prevent these giant wind farms being built, I will be happy to supply you with a sample letter that you can rewrite to your taste and send to your federal and local senators and representatives, as well as to the Department of Environmental Protection.  Just email me.

We CAN do something about this before it's too late.

Dot in PA

[Patti from Kentucky]

I just saw an article yesterday (posted below) about wind farms in California, and their ability to chop up California Condors.  It's known that lead ammunition in the carcasses they eat is a leading cause of death for the birds, but this article talked about wind farms being another huge obstacle in the recovery of the condor.

http://www.examiner.com/x-13344-Wildlife-Conservation-Examiner~y2009m8d30-California-condors-wind-farms-on-collision-course

[Judi]

I just saw an article yesterday (posted below) about wind farms in California, and their ability to chop up California Condors.  It's known that lead ammunition in the carcasses they eat is a leading cause of death for the birds, but this article talked about wind farms being another huge obstacle in the recovery of the condor.

http://www.examiner.com/x-13344-Wildlife-Conservation-Examiner~y2009m8d30-California-condors-wind-farms-on-collision-course

The L.A. Zoo receives all the condors that are injured or sick (we are one of the five organizations involved in the Condor captive breeding program, and the lead organization) and we (the volunteers) always hear about any that come to us for treatment.  I have not heard of any coming in with any injuries from wind turbines or any deaths from them either.  I have a meeting with department heads at the zoo next Friday - our Zoo Conservation Committee - and will be stopping by our Avian Curator's office; she is a member of the condor recovery team and I'll ask her about this issue.

Judi

[Tokira]

Now the Windmill Farms, so supported by "environmentalists, are cleared to kill Eagles...http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/wind-permits-allowing-eagle-deaths-face-blowback-20140123  http://tinyurl.com/kpjp9qg] http://www.nationaljournal.com/daily/wind-permits-allowing-eagle-deaths-face-blowback-20140123  http://tinyurl.com/kpjp9qg[/url]

Carol
in FRIGID WV