RTE equips six kilometres of overhead power lines with bird flight diverters in the Verdon, France

In the Verdon, in the heart of the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region, the village of Rougon is traversed by very high voltage power lines that play a key role in transporting electricity across the area. The same landscape is also home to several vulture species, whose wide wingspan and flight behaviour make them particularly vulnerable to collisions with barely visible cables.

As part of our project, our partners RTE and LPO PACA have worked together to reduce this risk by marking 17 spans of the 150 kV line with bird flight diverters. The devices used, known as “avispheres”, are designed to increase the visibility of the cables for birds. Their phosphorescent properties ensure that the lines remain visible even in low light conditions, when many large birds are most active.

In total, RTE plans to install 262 avispheres along this section of the network. The first phase of installation, carried out by helicopter, was carefully scheduled outside the vultures’ nesting period to avoid disturbance. The timing and methods were defined in close collaboration with LPO PACA, which coordinates the vulture conservation programme in the area. A further 116 markers will be installed in 2027, completing the protection of this particularly sensitive stretch of line.

The area had been identified as a priority for the conservation of the very rare Cinereous Vulture, one of the target species of our project. Reintroduced to the Verdon, the species now nests in forests close to the very high voltage line. By significantly reducing collision risk along overhead network, this joint action contributes directly to the long term survival of the Cinereous Vulture and demonstrates how energy infrastructure and biodiversity conservation can be successfully reconciled.