How does bat activity change at wind turbines across years in the offshore Atlantic Ocean?
Variation in bat activity from year to year and within years could influence collision risk from offshore wind turbines.
Latest
How to write a comment letter for a proposed federal rule change
Proposed changes to environmental laws often negatively impact the ecosystems and animals they are trying to protect. Here, I provide guidance for submitting comment letters for proposed rule changes so they have maximum credibility when they are reviewed by regulators.
Review of bat fatality studies at wind farms shows curtailment is an effective approach to reducing mortality
Meta-analysis across eight wind faciltiies shows curtailment to be an effective approach for reducing bat collisions
How to study the effects of offshore wind energy on birds and bats in the Eastern United States
Research identifies the most important topics to improve understanding of offshore wind's impacts on birds and bats
Do painted wind turbine blades reduce bird fatalities?
Painting wind turbine blades in a different color has shown promising results for reducing bird fatalities.
Permitting Updates for Incidental Take of Eagles and their Nests in 2024
A summary of the new 2024 federal regulations for permitting incidental take of bald and golden eagles
Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies (BBCS) for Wind Energy Projects
How bird and bat conservation strategies are used in wind energy projects
Biological assessments to facilitate wildlife permitting for energy projects
When and why a biological assessment is needed when permitting an energy project
The Best Subreddits for Wildlife Professionals
The best subreddits for wildlife professionals and the types of content they offer
Post-construction Offshore Wind Bird and Bat Research Using Acoustic and Thermographic Offshore Monitoring (ATOM)
Offshore wind bird and bat post-construction monitoring with Acoustic and Thermographic Offshore Monitoring (ATOM)
How to Write a Science Blog
My summary of a YouTube video describing blogging guidelines for scientists communicating research to the general public
How to Tweet about Science and Sustainability
My summary about a YouTube video on tweeting for science and sustainability
Wind-Wildlife Research
ThermalTracker-3D: offshore bird and bat monitoring
ThermalTracker-3D uses thermal and visible-light cameras and image recognition software for bird and bat activity monitoring offshore.
Regulation
Northern long-eared bat now listed as endangered
On March 31, 2023, the northern long-eared bat became listed as an endangered species, primarily due to population declines from white-nose syndrome.
My Research
Reducing Bat Mortality at Wind Farms with the Turbine Integrated Mortality Reduction (TIMR) Smart Curtailment Technology
Smart curtailment technology reduces bat mortality by shutting down turbines when bats are present and wind speeds are moderate
Wind-Wildlife Research
Floating offshore wind: challenges for marine wildlife
Floating offshore wind turbines promise the ability to develop wind capacity in deep water, but what challenges will wildlife face?
Technology
BatRack: a remote sensing tool for bat detection and identification
BatRack is a remote sensing tool that uses a combination of acoustic, video, and radio telemetry to survey bats within small, defined areas.
My Research
Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance for an Oklahoma Wind Energy Facility
We collaborated with a wind developer and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to develop an Eagle Conservation Plan for an Oklahoma wind facility.
My Research
Spatial Electrocution Risk Assessment of Bald Eagles and Wood Storks in Florida
We present a model for predicting electrocution risk of bald eagles and wood storks on distribution poles in Florida.
My Research
Bird Hazard Study at a Southeastern Landfill
This study presents the results of a landfill’s bird surveys and recommends a bird control plan to minimize gull activity and associated hazards.
My Research
Florida Bald Eagle Nest Disturbance Monitoring
Eagle nest monitoring is required when human disturbance occurs within 660 feet of an active nest. Here the basic nest monitoring and reporting requirements are described.
Wind-Wildlife Research
Modeling Bird and Bat Collision Mortality at Wind Turbines in the Central United States
Landscape spatial models inform collision risks for birds and bats in the central United States
My Research
Landscape habitat and weather influence wetland birds
Landscape habitat variables can influence wetland breeding birds’ occupancy of an area. This research examines the effects of landscape habitat variables on wetland birds in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States.
My Research
Changes in Monk Parakeet Distributions in Florida from 2001 to 2007
The invasive Monk Parakeet commonly nests on electric utility structures, which can cause power outages when the nest touches energized hardware. I evaluated how Monk Parakeet distributions changed in south Florida from 2001 to 2007 to determine where current and future outages would be most likely.
