Meeting Proceedings Published May 2021 Prepared by Susan Savitt Schwartz American Wind Wildlife Institute 1990 K Street NW, Suite 620 Washington, DC 20006 awwi.org Acknowledgments The meeting and agenda for the 13th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting were planned by the American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI). Production of the Proceedings was co-funded by AWWI and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. AWWI wishes to acknowledge and thank the following companies, organizations, and individuals for their support for the meeting: Platinum Sponsors: DNV • National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Western EcoSystems Technology (WEST), Inc. Gold Sponsors: Bureau Waardenburg • Clearway Energy Group Silver Sponsors: Atwell, LLC • Burns & McDonnell • NextEra Energy Resources • Olsson Bronze Sponsors: Blanton & Associates • Copperhead Environmental Consulting, Inc. Energy Renewal Partners • Locke Lord LLP • Nossaman LLP • Natural Resource Solutions, Inc. • Tetra Tech Members of the Planning Committee, who contributed extensive volunteer hours in planning this meeting, as well as all others who provided input: Amanda Hale, Texas Christian University • Amy Parsons, Avangrid Renewables • Brad Romano, Invenergy • Christi Calabrese, EDP Renewables • Cris Hein, National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Dale Strickland, Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. • Danna Small, Pattern Energy Group • Dave Nelson, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science • Dave Phillips, Equinor • David Tidhar, Natural Power • Doug Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey • Garry George, National Audubon Society • Hein Prinsen, Bureau Waardenburg • Janine Crane, NextEra Energy • Jay Diffendorfer, U.S. Geological Survey • Jenni Dean, Enel Green Power • Jocelyn Brown-Saracino, U.S. Department of Energy • Joy Page, Defenders of Wildlife • Kate Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute • Katie Umekubo, Natural Resources Defense Council • Kelley Myers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Kim Wells, NextEra Energy • Leslie New, Washington State University, Vancouver • Manuela Huso, U.S. Geological Survey • Melissa Marinovich, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • Mike Speerschneider, Formerly American Wind Energy Association • Mona Khalil, U.S. Geological Survey • Pat Deibart, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Phil Whitfield, Natural Research Ltd • Rene Braud, Pattern Energy Group • Sarah Reif, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife • Terry Root, Stanford • Todd Katzner, U.S. Geological Survey • Tracey Librandi Mumma, Pennsylvania Game Commission Those who volunteered their time to review submitted abstracts. The meeting presenters and speakers who contributed their work and expertise to the meeting program. About AWWI & NWCC The American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI) is an independent nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that advances scientific research and collaboration to better understand wind energy’s risks to wildlife and develop solutions. Built on a strong partnership of leaders, AWWI works collaboratively with the wind 13th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting Proceedings i industry, conservation and science organizations, and wildlife management agencies to facilitate timely and responsible development of wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat. Launched in 1993 and formalized in 1994, the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) was initiated and has been supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to provide an independent forum for a wide range of stakeholders – including government agencies, industry, conservationists, academics, and the general public – to pursue the shared objective of developing environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial markets for wind power in the United States. The NWCC retired in early 2021; learn more at https://awwi.org/nwcc-timeline/. AWWI plans to continue hosting biennial Wind Wildlife Research Meetings. Abstract Wind energy is recognized as a key component of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production. By generating electricity with lower carbon emissions and water use than fossil fuels, wind energy benefits birds, bats, and many other animal and plant species. Yet wind energy development and operation, like most human activities including other forms of energy generation, can pose risks to wildlife. These proceedings document current research pertaining to wind energy-related wildlife fatalities; habitat and behavioral impacts at the project level as well as cumulative and landscape-scale impacts; and avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies and technologies. As the window of opportunity to prevent the most catastrophic consequences of climate change narrows, these proceedings reflect discussions among stakeholders – scientists, wildlife agencies, wind energy developers, and conservation organizations – about how to balance the need to understand and mitigate wind energy impacts with the need to expedite responsible development of wind energy. Suggested Citation Format This volume: PNWWRM XIII. 2021. Proceedings of the 13th Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting. December 2-4, 2020. Prepared by the American Wind Wildlife Institute, Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 106 pp. Preceding volumes: PNWWRM XII. 2019. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting XII. St. Paul, MN November 28- 30, 2018. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by the American Wind Wildlife Institute, Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 148 pp. PNWWRM XI. 2017. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting XI. Broomfield, CO November 30 - December 2, 2016. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by the American Wind Wildlife Institute, Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 168 pp. PNWWRM X. 2015. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting X. Broomfield, CO December 2- 5, 2014. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by the American Wind Wildlife Institute, Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 139 pp. PNWWRM IX. 2013. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting IX. Broomfield, CO November 28-30, 2012. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by the American Wind Wildlife Institute, Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 151 pp. 13th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting Proceedings ii PNWWRM VIII. 2011. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting VIII. Lakewood, CO October 19-21, 2010. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 191 pp. PNWWRM VII. 2009. Proceedings of the Wind-Wildlife Research Meeting VII. Milwaukee, WI October 28-29, 2008. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 116 pp. PNWWRPM VI. 2007. Proceedings of the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup Research Planning Meeting VI. San Antonio, TX November 14-15, 2006. Prepared for the Wildlife Workgroup of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 138 pp. POWIWD-V. 2005. Proceedings of the Onshore Wildlife Interactions with Wind Developments: Research Meeting V. Lansdowne, VA November 3-4, 2004. Prepared for the Wildlife Subcommittee of the National Wind Coordinating Committee by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed. 120 pp. PNAWPPM-IV. 2001. Proceedings of the National Avian-Wind Power Planning Meeting IV, Carmel, CA, May 16-17, 2000. Prepared for the Avian Subcommittee of the National Wind Coordinating Committee by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, Susan Savitt Schwartz, ed., 179 pp. PNAWPPM-III. 2000. Proceedings of the National Avian-Wind Power Planning Meeting III, San Diego, CA, May 1998. Prepared for the Avian Subcommittee of the National Wind Coordinating Committee by LGL, Ltd., King City, Ont., 202 pp. PNAWPPM-II. 1996. Proceedings of the National Avian-Wind Power Planning Meeting II, Palm Springs, CA, September 1995. Prepared for the Avian Subcommittee of the National Wind Coordinating Committee by RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, and LGL, Ltd., King City, Ont., 152 pp. PNAWPPM. 1995. Proceedings of the National Avian-Wind Power Planning Meeting IV, Denver, CO, July 1994. Repot DE95-004090. RESOLVE, Inc., Washington, DC, and LGL, Ltd., King City, Ont., 145 pp. Ordering Information These Proceedings are available in PDF format with accompanying presentations available via links. Proceedings may be downloaded from the AWWI website: awwi.org. Disclaimer Some of the presentations described in the Proceedings of the 13th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting may have been peer-reviewed independent of this meeting, but results should be considered preliminary. This document may be cited, although communication with the author before doing so is highly recommended to ensure that the information cited is current. These proceedings do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Wind Wildlife Institute or those noted above. AWWI expressly disclaims any warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, and shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the material, information, techniques, or procedures set forth in this publication. 13th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting Proceedings iii Table of Contents Opening Session: Celebrating Progress and