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Bird Monitoring at 's Exhibition Place Wind Turbine

Ross D. James and Glenn Coady

In December of 2002, a modern, tall the presence of potential danger. wind turbine was installed at The turbine is at the western Exhibition Place close to the end of Exhibition Place, almost due lakeshore, in . south of the end of , This was a joint venture of Toronto and just north of Lakeshore Hydro and WindShare, with the Boulevard. The turbine is surround­ cooperation of Exhibition Place. By ed by paved roadways and parking the close of 2003, this turbine had lots, and the open lawns with plant­ generated more than one million ed trees and shrubs of the kilowatt hours of electricity for the Exhibition Place grounds. Buildings city. This paper presents the results are 50 m to the northeast, just more of a bird monitoring program than 50 m to the northwest, and undertaken in 2003 to assess the about 70 m to the east. The open potential impact of the turbine on water of Lake lies about bird populations. 100 m south, beyond Lakeshore The turbine is a Dutch LW 52 Boulevard. Within 50 m of the Lagerwey 750 kw horizontal axis tower are mainly open lawns that model, with a tower standing 94 m were kept closely mowed, and high. The variable pitch blades are paved roadways. Immediately 24 m long, and rotate at a maximum around the turbine was a circle of rate of 27 rpm. The generator is bark mulch. There were only a cou­ quiet enough that it would not ple of small shrubby patches that interfere with normal conversation would have been more difficult to right below it. The distant songs and search. Part of the lawn was over­ calls of White-throated and White­ shadowed by the canopies of larger crowned Sparrows (see Appendix 1 trees. About 15 percent of this area for scientific names of birds) were could not be searched directly audible when standing right below because of a chain link fence sepa­ the turbine. The blades swish rating the Exhibition Place from through the air, but make little Lakeshore Boulevard. The lawns more noise at ground level than the beyond the fence could be scanned wind would be making in the trees. from inside the fence. The noise of the blades, however, might be loud enough higher in the PROCEDURES air to alert birds at close range to Direct visual searches covered a 50 m

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Figure 1: Exhibition Place wind turbine, Toronto, Ontario. Photo by Toronto Hydro Corporation. Q TARIQ BIRDS AUGUST 2004 81 radius around the turbine (except beyond the fence as noted). The Searches started just after dawn and lasted about one hour each. DovetaD The searcher (Coady) walked a pat­ tern that covered the area at inter­ Directory vals of 5 m or less. The early start minimized the potential loss of any dead birds to diurnal scavengers such as crows, gulls, or squirrels, and avoided the possibility that people might find something. Searches in spring were con­ The world's largest catalogue ducted twice a week over five ofcomplete birding and weeks, from 27 April to 31 May. nature tour itineraries Autumn searches were three times a week for six weeks, 18 August to 27 Forty-five independent operators September. Searches were spaced to Several hundred itineraries get fairly even coverage (less so in Truly, your one-stop shop! spring), but were random with respect to weather. Many different www.dovetaildirectorv.com conditions from full sun to light rain, and from calm to strong winds, RESULTS were encountered. Notes were Living birds made about live birds and potential In total, 44 species of birds were scavengers near the turbine. noted on the ground or in trees

A II removal by predators II and shrubbery near the ground, in study was conducted in conjunc­ or near the search area. The most tion with the searches, to assess numerous were Goose, potential losses of dead birds to Ring-billed Gull, European predators prior to their being Starling, Common Grackle, and found on searches. In total, 50 dead House Sparrow. The most numer­ birds were placed out within 50 m ous and frequent were Ring-billed of the tower, 17 in spring and 33 in Gulls in parking lots, on lawns, or autumn. Thirty-one were small on nearby breakwaters, at almost (warbler-sparrow size), 17 were every visit. They were found forag­ mediurn-sized (thrush-jay size), ing on the lawns around the tur­ and three were larger (woodcock­ bine at least a dozen times, with as gull size). All birds were removed many as 46 present. Through the after a week or more, when no weeks the exhibition was operat­ longer of much interest to a preda­ ing, they were attracted to the tor because of the state of decay. grounds every day. VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 82

European Starlings and Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackles were present White-throated Sparrow, White­ almost every day. Starlings were crowned Sparrow, Red-winged observed gathering nest materials Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, on the lawns below the operating House Finch, and American turbine, and no doubt foraged close Goldfinch. A pair of Red-winged by every day. Canada Geese were Blackbirds nested in the shrubbery close to the turbine on at least half below the turbine blades. the visits in the autumn, with as Least often seen at or near the many as 31 present. ground were Ruby-throated Less commonly seen species Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, close to or on the ground included Northern Flicker, Warbling Vireo, Rock Pigeon, American Crow, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, White­ Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby­ breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, crowned Kinglet, American Robin, House Wren, Swainson's Thrush,

ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 2004 83

Hermit Thrush, Northern ing blades, but easily changed Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, course at close range and flew Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, around. A group of 15 Chimney Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Swifts was cruising about foraging Warbler, Black-throated Blue for some time one day, but they Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, seemed well aware of the turbine Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted and avoided coming too close. A Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, single Red-breasted Nuthatch American Redstart, Ovenbird, apparently flew right between the Canada Warbler, and Song Sparrow. blades turning at about 20 rpm and On two occasions, Coady visited was unharmed. the following a Other species seen flying near morning search at the turbine. On the turbine at blade height were these occasions there were many Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, wood-warblers seen on the islands, Black-crowned Night-Heron, several hundred in one instance. But, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Calidris only one species of wood-warbler sandpiper sp., Herring Gull, Great had been noted in the trees near the Black-backed Gull, Common turbine on each of these days. Nighthawk, Northern Flicker, Tree Numbers of wood-warblers were Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn always small near the turbine. Swallow, Common Grackle, and In addition to birds seen on or American Goldfinch. near the ground, 22 species were noted flying near the turbine, at the Scavengers/predators height of the blades, when in opera­ The mammalian predators seen in tion. The most commonly seen were the vicinity of the turbine were Ring-billed Gull, European mainly Grey Squirrels (Sciurus car­ Starling, Chimney Swift, American olinensis), as many as 15 in one day Crow, and Rock Pigeon. Flocks of in autumn, and seen almost every Ring-billed Gulls arriving to forage day. There were as many as three on lawns and parking lots soon free-roaming house cats (Felis after dawn always took a flight path catus) seen in the vicinity. Raccoons that clearly avoided coming close to (Procyon lotor) were seen twice. the turbine. As with gulls, approach­ Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) ing Canada Geese took a flight path were possible, though none were that avoided direct approach, going seen. The only one of these species around the turbine before landing. regularly likely to be attracted to They had obviously also adapted to the open lawns and roadways of the the presence of the turbine prior to turbine area would be the squirrels. the start of this study. Few people were seen close to A flock of Bobolinks was the tower in early morning. More observed flying directly at the rotat- were likely close-by during the 24th VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 84 of May celebrations or during the food elsewhere. Given the potential Canadian National Exhibition number of scavengers present, par­ (CNE), but few people will pick up ticularly squirrels, there was rela­ dead animals anyway. Dogs (Canis tively little scavenging. familiaris) were a possibility, If we consider all birds though few were normally close, removed within one week of place­ and they can be very inefficient at ment, only 12% were removed. This removing dead birds (James 2003). is probably a higher rate than Potential avian scavengers should be used for the autumn peri­ most likely were Ring-billed Gulls, od, at a time when most casualties present on many days and walking might be expected (more nocturnal on the grass. Crows were also a pos­ migrants than in spring), since sibility, but were fewer and typically searches were more frequent (only passing at a distance. 3%- went missing between search­ es). Search efficiency trials were not Removal by predators study undertaken, since the area searched Although fewer birds were placed was almost all short grass or pave­ out in spring, proportionately more ment that could be searched very were removed then, at a time when easily. Even if something was over­ there were far fewer gulls and looked one day, it probably would crows present. This suggests the have been found on the next visit. squirrels were the main agent, at a time when their alternate food sup­ Avian mortality ply may have been scarce. Only 3 of The searches found one dead bird 17 (180/0) were removed within a in spring and one in the autumn week of placement. period. Both could have been local In the autumn, when searches residents and not migrants. In were more frequent, only one of 33 spring, it was a European Starling % birds (3 ) went missing within the on 14 May, and in autumn, an 2 to 3 days before a second visit was immature American Robin on 30 % made. However, 3 of 33 (9 ) went August. missing within one week. This was at a time when gulls in particular DISCUSSION were more numerous and squirrels Given the ground conditions, were also more numerous, with search efficiency was probably very young of the year. Apparently the high. Experience elsewhere has squirrels were now more interested shown that under such conditions in seeds and nuts. Gulls, crows, and even individual feathers are readily Raccoons were probably well sup­ found (James 2003). Nocturnal plied with junk food at the exhibi­ migrants are considered to be at tion for part of the time, and appar­ greatest risk of collision with tall ently had more readily available structures (although still at low risk ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 2004 85 at structures less than 150 m high) small nocturnal migrants. Michael as they are travelling in low light Mesure (pers. comm.) of Fatal Light conditions. The chances of a colli­ Awareness Program has pointed sion with a wind turbine in daylight, out that the ten top species in tall even in coastal situations, is virtual­ building kills in Toronto usually suf­ ly zero (Crockford 1992, Pearson fer the greatest mortality in 1992, Winkelman 1995). The search­ October after the surveys at es were conducted during periods Exhibition Place had finished. of heaviest nocturnal migration, However, several of the species of and were more frequent in autumn heaviest mortality at tall buildings when inexperienced young of the are warblers, the vast majority of year greatly enhanced numbers of which have already left the nocturnal bird migrants. province by the end of September. None of the larger birds placed Why the remaining smaller num­ out were touched. If any larger bird bers should be more susceptible in had been hit by the turbine, it is October is uncertain. probable that it would have been Other species suffering high eaten in place, and remains would mortality in October at tall build­ have been readily visible. This was ings are later migrants. However, the result with larger birds found by there is but a single flashing red scavengers at the Pickering turbine. light on the Exhibition Place wind If the number of birds found dead turbine at night, and this is unlikely (two) is adjusted by a predator to compare with lighted tall build­ removal rate of 12% (using all that ings as an attractant to birds. Also, disappeared within a week, both there were very few nocturnal spring and autumn) and further migrants attracted to Exhibition adjusted by the 15 % of the area Place compared to the Toronto that could not be searched directly, Islands, because there is little habi­ the total projected mortality is still tat of interest at Exhibition Place. fewer than three birds. The mortali­ The study at the Pickering wind tur­ ty estimate, assuming all mortality bine (James 2003) did continue did occur during the study period, through October and November would probably not have exceeded and no additional mortality of noc­ three birds. If any additional mor­ turnal migrants was recorded. tality did occur outside the study Mesure also indicated that period, it is unlikely to have been most of these migrants killed in more than one additional bird. October at buildings were daytime Although mortality monitoring casualties (860/0 in 2003). This clear­ did not span the entire year, it cov­ ly indicates that it is windows, and ered the time of the year when mor­ not just obstacles, that are the pri­ tality is most likely to occur. This is mary agent of mortality. Windows the period of heaviest migration of are not a factor at the wind turbine. VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 86

It seems unlikely to us that the later not a factor in removing placed-out migrants would have suffered any birds through September. They are mortality at the Exhibition Place much more likely to be a removal wind turbine. factor where they have learned Many of the diurnal raptor there is a more constant supply of migrants also pass through Toronto food, such as at tall downtown in October and November. buildings. However, these birds are moving in The mortality experienced at the daylight with good visibility, condi­ wind turbine is only a tiny fraction of tions under which collisions with the numbers of birds regularly occur­ anything other than glass are highly ring in the area. The local birds unlikely. Many birds, particularly seemed well aware of the turbine larger ones, are known to avoid fly­ and lived around it much as usual. ing within about 50 m of towers, par­ Nocturnal migrants were probably ticularly if there are moving parts relatively few in the immediate vicin­ (Faanes 1987, James 2003, this ity because of the built-up nature of study). Even though diurnal the area. The mortality is closer to migrants may be abundant in areas that of individual houses where birds near communications towers, they hit windows at a rate of between one are almost totally absent from tower and 10 per year on average, and kills where tens of thousands of noc­ much higher at some rural area turnal migrants are killed (Avery et homes surrounded by trees (Klem al. 1978). Buteos and American 1990, Dunn 1993). Kestrels, for example, were com­ The level of mortality experi­ monly observed flying at turbine enced at the Exhibition Place wind blade heights in a Minnesota wind turbine is absolutely insignificant farm (73 turbines) and none were when compared with the thousands known to have been killed through of birds killed annually in Toronto 20 months of continuous monitoring at tall buildings (Evans Ogden (Osborne et al. 1998). 1996; www.flap.org). Each of the Mesure has also pointed out free-roaming cats seen are capable that Ring-billed Gulls usually just of killing as many as 1000 small ani­ grab small birds and depart, leaving mals per year, including birds no trace such as feathers, evident (Coleman and Temple 1993). Each with mammalian predation. free-roaming cat in Toronto proba­ However, while gulls regularly for­ bly kills more birds per year than aged on lawns and parking lots the Exhibition Place wind turbine adjacent to the search area, they did did in 2003. not ordinarily come into the search Although mortality at the tur­ area. They typically avoided the tur­ bine is likely to vary from year to bine, as they also did at Pickering year, it is unlikely to exceed the low (James 2003). They certainly were level of 2003 by any significant ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 2004 87 amount and could be lower. Large Acknowledgements mortality events at wind turbines in Joyce McLean of Toronto Hydro, have never been and Ed Hale of WindShare, along reported, and they are unlikely in with Chip Weseloh of Environment future (Erickson et al. 2001). The Canada, were involved in planning Exhibition Place wind turbine will and conducting the study. Joyce not have a significant direct impact acted as a main contact with all par­ on bird populations, but could have a ties, and arranged access to the site, very significant indirect impact with Dianne Young of Exhibition through providing clean energy to Place. We thank Glenn Murphy for the city. his help in this project, and Michael Mesure for his helpful comments.

Literature Cited Avery, M.L., P.F. Springer, and J.F. Cassel. Faanes, C.A. 1987. Bird behavior and mor­ 1978. The composition and seasonal varia­ tality in relation to power lines in prairie tion of bird losses at a tall tower in south­ habitats. Fish and Wildlife Technical eastern North Dakota. American Birds 32: Report No.7, United States Fish and 1114-1121. Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Coleman, J.S. and S.A. Temple. 1993. A sur­ James, R.D. 2003. Bird observations at the vey of owners of free-roaming domestic Pickering wind turbine. Ontario Birds 21: cats in rural Wisconsin. Wildlife Society 84-97. Bulletin 21: 381-390. Klem, D., Jr. 1990. Collisions between birds Crockford, N.J. 1992. A review of the possi­ and windows: mortality and prevention. ble impacts of windfarms on birds and Journal of Field Ornithology 61: 120-128. other wildlife. Joint Nature Conservation Osborne, R.G., C.D. Dieter, K.F. Higgins, Commission (JNCC) Report No. 27, and R.E. Usgaard. 1998. Bird flight char­ Peterborough, United Kingdom. acteristics near wind turbines in Dunn, E.H. 1993. Bird mortality from strik­ Minnesota. American Midland Naturalist ing residential windows in winter. Journal 139: 29-38. of Field Ornithology 64: 254-269. Pearson, D. 1992. Unpublished summary of Erickson, W.P., G.D. Johnson, M.D. Southern California Edison's 1985 bird Strickland, D.P. Young, Jr., K.J. Semka, monitoring studies in the San Gorgonio and R.E. Good. 2001. Avian collisions with Pass and Coachella Valley. Presented at wind turbines: a summary of existing stud­ Pacific Gas and Electric Company/ ies and comparisons to other sources of California Energy Commission Workshop avian collision mortality in the United on wind energy and avian mortality, San States. National Wind Coordinating Ramon, California. Committee Resource Document. Winkelman, J.E. 1995. Bird/wind turbine Evans Ogden, L.J.1996. Collision course: the investigations in Europe. Pp. 43-48 in hazards of lighted structures and windows Proceedings of the National Avian-Wind to migrating birds. World Wildlife Fund Power Planning Meeting, 20-21 July 1994, Canada and Fatal Light Awareness Denver, Colorado. Program, Toronto.

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Appendix 1: Scientific names of bird species. Double-crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus Hermit Thrush, Catharus guttatus Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax American Robin, Turdus migratorius Canada Goose, Branta canadensis Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum American Kestrel, Falco sparverius European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum American Woodcock, Scolopax minor Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia Herring Gull, Larus argentatus Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia Rock Pigeon, Columba Livia Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica [usca Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota White-crowned Sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys Bam Swallow, Hirundo rustica Bobolink, Dolichonyx oryzivorus Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis Common Grackle, Quiscalus quiscula Brown Creeper Certhia americana Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater House Wren, Troglodytes aedon House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regulus satrapa American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calendula House Sparrow, Passer domesticus Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus

Ross D. James, R.R. 3, S1480, Concession 7, Sunderland, Ontario LOC IHO

Glenn Coady, 604-60 Mountview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6P 2L4

OFO Annual Convention and Banquet Oakville, Ontario 2 and 3 October 2004

Plan to attend the OFO Annual Convention and Banquet at the Pavilion On The Park in Oakville on 2 and 3 October 2004. On both Saturday and Sunday, experi­ enced OFO birders will lead field trips to hotspots such as Dundas Marsh, Van Wagners Beach, Tollgate Ponds, Fifty Point, Grimsby Lagoons, Bronte Harbour, LaSalle Marina, and Hawkwatch.

Saturday's events will include Ron Scovell's book sale, the evening banquet, and a special presentation by expert birder Bruce Mactavish on "Newfoundland Birds: Land, Sea and Vagrants".

Send your $50 registration (includes banquet, program and field trips), payable by cheque to Ontario Field Ornithologists, to: Chris Escott, 1 Shouldice Court, Toronto, ON M2L 2S3

ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 2004