2014

Using a before-and-after comparison the study investigated the effectiveness of black and white ‘bird-deflectors’ fixed at the ground wire in three different areas with differing habitats. For geese, sea gulls, waterfowl and cormorants the results showed a reduction of the collosion risk of more than 90 %. This high efficieny might be reduced if there are specific characteristics – such as preferred headings, perhaps even back light, height of the flight or behaviour compared to the course of the line, or parallel lines.

Nevertheless the marking of the ground wire is usually regarded as suitable measure for minimisation, in terms of legal species conservation as well as for the avoidance of significant impairment referring to the Habitats Directive. However, each individual case has still to be investigated and justified specif- ically in terms of the aspects addressed. Beside an assessment of the avifaunistic risk there is the option to improve the efficiency of the measures in very sensitive areas or for particularly rare species, e.g. by reducing the distance of the markings, additional signals and a reduction of flights by minimising disturbance in the area.