Birds play important roles for humans and the ecosystem; they pollinate flowers, disperse seeds, and can be a source of food and fertilizer. But as the global power lines advance significantly comes a threat to both power lines and these warm-blooded vertebrates. How bad is it, and what possible things can we impose to create a healthy environment?
One of the main reasons that birds die all over the world is because they interact with power lines that are overhead. Raptors, a threatened species, are particularly vulnerable to electrocution. Beginning around 1970, work performed by specialists, administrators, and preservationists all over the planet has prompted an expanded comprehension of the variables that impact the gamble of bird electric shock, for example, bird size and conduct, plan, and kinds of materials utilized in arches, and qualities of the encompassing territory.
It is estimated that power lines kill up to 64 million birds annually in the United States alone. Large-bodied and migratory species with low flight maneuverability are affected by collisions with wires, while large raptors are significantly affected by electrocutions on pylons. In South Africa, mortality from electrical cables is broadly viewed as a significant contributory, considering the decrease in reach and quantities of the Imperiled Cape Vulture and the Jeopardized African White Supported Vulture.
A study was published on the impacts of power lines on birds in Putalibazar (Nepal) concludes that power lines are becoming increasingly regarded as one of the most significant threats to bird species among the various anthropogenic factors, primarily due to collisions and electrocutions. Lines specifically laid in a risky way across the country to distribute power from its 123 large and numerous smaller hydropower projects are killing birds, some of which are already critically endangered.
New mitigation measures and improved designs to reduce the risk of electrocution on pylons have been made possible by this fundamental work. Extensive restrictions on the installation of risky new models have been put in place, resulting in an increase in the survival rates of some threatened species.
Insulation materials can be added to high-risk electricity infrastructure to prevent bridging between live cables or grounded hardware and must be installed correctly by skilled engineers and meet the voltage and regional environment of the power line specifications.
Blinking lights work well to deter birds. Strobe lights can be placed close to your power lines to deter intruders. Numerous strobe lights are permitted. However, it's possible that this method won't work as well during the day as it does at night.
Removing attractants that encourage birds to perch on electrical lines. It very well may be settling materials, food, and so on. On the off chance that you need, you can introduce a bird feeder away from the post lines to redirect the presence of the birds.
The effectiveness of different ways of deterrence varies, and their inappropriate placement may even raise the risk of electrocution. Making sure that the chosen deterrent or deflector is appropriate for the situation is vital, and must be installed correctly, and there is a plan in place for monitoring and maintenance.
Electrical distribution and transmission departments from different countries are adapting to the application of wildlife and asset protection covers. Midsun IKM, based in Austria, specializes in distributing over 100 wildlife outage protection products. These are ready-made products for power companies, electrical substations, transmission, and distribution lines to show its commitment to protect power companies and mitigate risk to wildlife at any season. These products provide additional protection which helps these migratory birds to safely travel to different location.
Reference:
Transmit - The evidence-based toolkit for mitigating powerline-related avian mortality. http://datazone.birdlife.org/info/transmit