Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database Summary of the Findings from Post-construction Monitoring Reports Bird Studies Canada, Canadian Wind Energy Association, Environment Canada and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources July 2016 Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database Summary: July 2016 SUMMARY The Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database is a joint initiative established to enable the collection and analysis of bird and bat monitoring information from Canadian wind power projects. This report presents summary results from Canadian post-construction bird and bat mortality monitoring data contained within the Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database. This report describes: the relative number of uncorrected individual fatalities recorded for each species compared using fractional ranking, and corrected mortality estimates for bats, raptors and non-raptor bird species based on a subset of mortality monitoring studies for which correction factor data were available. SECTION 1: Uncorrected Analysis Fatality patterns were based on data collected from 65 wind power projects between 2006 and 2014. The numbers of observed bat fatalities were higher than bird fatalities, nationally and within Alberta and Ontario. In Atlantic Canada bird fatalities were higher than bat fatalities. Bird fatalities were dominated by passerines with relatively low numbers of raptor and waterbird fatalities. The most prevalent bird species found across Canada during mortality monitoring surveys were Horned Lark, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-eyed Vireo. Migratory bat fatalities were higher than resident bat fatalities and the most prevalent bat species found were hoary bat, silver-haired bat and eastern red bat. SECTION 2: Corrected Mortality Estimates Corrected mortality estimates for birds and bats were based on a subset of data collected from 46 wind power projects between 2007 and 2014 and were calculated based on correction methods prescribed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF 2011a, OMNRF 2011b). Estimates were not completed for the additional regions and provinces within Canada due to a lack of available data. It is hoped that increased submission to the Database will allow for analysis of these regions in future reports. 2 Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database Summary: July 2016 Corrected bird fatalities showed no prominent seasonal fatality patterns between May and October although mortality was generally higher during the fall migratory period. The highest numbers of corrected bat fatalities occurred between July and September (peaking between mid-August and early September), which corresponds with typical swarming and migratory period for bats (Davis and Hitchcock 1965, Thomas et al 1979, Schowalter 1980, Parsons et al 2003). Non-Raptor Birds The average annual non-raptor bird mortality estimates (within 50 meters (m) of turbine bases from May 1st to October 31st) were: 2.65 ± 0.75 birds/turbine in Alberta, 1.17 ± 1.01 birds/turbine in Atlantic Canada, and 6.14 ± 0.31 birds/turbine in Ontario. Raptors The average annual raptor mortality estimates (within 50 meters (m) of turbine bases from May 1st to October 31st) were: 0.06 ± 0.06 birds/turbine in Alberta, 0 ± 0 birds/turbine in Atlantic Canada, and 0.20 ± 0.01 birds/turbine in Ontario. Bats The average annual bat mortality estimates (within 50 meters (m) of the turbine base from May 1st to October 31st) were: 8.34 ± 2.46 bats/turbine in Alberta, 0.26 ± 0.11 bats/turbine in Atlantic Canada, and 18.52 ± 0.79 bats/ turbine in Ontario. 3 Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database Summary: July 2016 Table of Contents SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................................2 SECTION 1: Uncorrected Analysis ............................................................................................................. 2 SECTION 2: Corrected Mortality Estimates ............................................................................................... 2 Non-Raptor Birds .................................................................................................................................. 3 Raptors .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Bats........................................................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................6 SECTION 1 ..........................................................................................................................................8 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................ 11 RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................. 12 Bird and bat fatalities .......................................................................................................................... 12 Species Composition: Birds ................................................................................................................. 13 Canada ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Alberta ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Ontario ................................................................................................................................................ 14 Atlantic ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Species Composition: Bats .................................................................................................................. 16 Canada ................................................................................................................................................ 16 Alberta ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Ontario ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Atlantic Canada ................................................................................................................................... 17 SECTION 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 18 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Correction Factors ............................................................................................................................... 21 Search Radius ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Percent Area Surveyed ........................................................................................................................ 23 Searcher Efficiency .............................................................................................................................. 23 Scavenger (Carcass) Removal.............................................................................................................. 24 Correction Factor Resolution .............................................................................................................. 25 4 Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database Summary: July 2016 Length of Monitoring Period ............................................................................................................... 26 Corrected Mortality Estimates ................................................................................................................ 28 RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................. 29 Correction Factors ............................................................................................................................... 29 Estimated Mortality ............................................................................................................................ 32 Birds: Alberta ...................................................................................................................................... 32 Birds: Ontario ...................................................................................................................................... 32 Birds: Atlantic Canada ......................................................................................................................... 33 Bats: Alberta ........................................................................................................................................ 33 Bats: Ontario ......................................................................................................................................