Conservation of nest zone protected birds in the selected Natura 2000 sites in Lubelszczyzna region

protection
Protection of feeding grounds

Measurable effects of our activities

 

In 2016, following the receipt from Nature Society of Zamość of their findings from the second season of monitoring overhead power lines conducted under the task D2, we decided to briefly access the efficiency of said task. Listings in tables below are self-explanatory – there were no cases of bird electrocution on PGE power line sections insulated using safety kits. Zdajemy sobie sprawę, że wyciąganie długofalowych wniosków, po zaledwie dwóch sezonach badań jest może zbyt pochopne, ale nawet tak niewielka próba danych napawa nas optymizmem i utwierdza w przekonaniu słuszności naszych działań. W tym miejscu tym bardziej pragniemy podziękować przedsiębiorstwu PGE Dystrybucja S.A. za zaangażowanie w realizację zadania, dzięki której z całą pewnością uda nam się zabezpieczyć znacznie więcej kolizyjnych miejsc niż pierwotnie zakładaliśmy.

  

Name of power line

lenght (m)

number of fatalities

2015

2016

I control

II control

I control

II control

Szpikołosy - Annopol

2500

3

2

0

0

Łukowa-Olchowiec

3700

0

6

0

0

Przewłoka-Łubcze *

8800

3

2

1

1

Tyszowce

800

0

2

0

0

Ulchówek-Rzeplin **

2700

0

3

2

0

Wielącza - Siedliska

3500

3

3

0

0

*Power line destined to save

 

 

*power line saved In 2016 between first and second control

 

 

 

 Electric shock protection of birds

 

Electric shock is among the major causes of death in birds, which use overhead power lines as a resting place when learning to fly or as look-outs when hunting their prey. Among the most frequent victims of such events are birds of prey, which are the species we protect under the project. In order to improve their chances for reproduction, we have planned, in collaboration with PGE Dystrybucja S.A., a pilot regional project of securing locations particularly dangerous to birds.

In order to ensure correct selection of sites for the project, which initially provided for insulation of 100 MV pylons in 2015, during the summer and autumn over 500 km of power lines within and in the close proximity of Natura 2000 areas, had been inspected. Inspections of overhead power lines were carried out on two occasions. The first one in August, and the other one in September. Such a election of dates enabled not only physical penetration of the area under the power line (harvesting cereal crops), but first and foremost increased the probability of finding dead birds.

The harvest enabled the birds of prey access to rodent-rich feeding grounds, significantly increasing their presence in such habitats. In addition, at this time of the year, young birds start to expand outside of their nests, learning to hunt their prey, and using power line pylons as their look-outs. In total, 112 victims of electric shock were observed, among them mostly common buzzards and white storks. Unfortunately, one short-toed snake eagle was found dead under one of MV pylons, near Tyszowice, whose death is particularly painful for the whole population of the species. The task of mounting protections is the model operation in environmental protection area, bringing profits to both birds and men. Cases of bird electrocution often require disconnection of power line sections, which causes onerous and costly interruptions in the supply of electric energy. Therefore, at locations selected by ornithologists, additional safety kits are mounted purchased by PGE Dystrybucja S.A., in addition to safety kits purchased with Project funds. In addition, as the task yielded some savings, and power company personnel committed themselves to collaboration, there are projections assuming increase in the scope of the task in near future.

A brief documentary on the subject pilot project was broadcasted by regional channels of Polish Television, and you can see it on the website of TVP Lublin

 

Photo 1 Safety kit ready to be mounted on the MV power line pylon.

Photo 2 Safety kit mounted on the pylon.