Offshore and coastline migration of radio-tagged Nathusius' pipistrelles

The wind energy-bat conflict is well documented for the onshore sector, with high numbers of casualties, specifically for migratory bat species. Offshore wind turbines might be a threat to bats as well, yet offshore bat migration is poorly documented. Accordingly, potential conflicts between bat con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Conservation Science and Practice
Main Authors: Bach, Petra, Voigt, Christian C., Göttsche, Matthias, Bach, Lothar, Brust, Vera, Hill, Reinhold, Hüppop, Ommo, Lagerveld, Sander, Schmaljohann, Heiko, Seebens-Hoyer, Antje
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
bat fatalities
conservation
migration
offshore wind power
wind energy-wildlife conflict
Pipistrellus nathusii
Online Access:https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/offshore-and-coastline-migration-of-radio-tagged-nathusius-pipist
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12783
Description
Summary:The wind energy-bat conflict is well documented for the onshore sector, with high numbers of casualties, specifically for migratory bat species. Offshore wind turbines might be a threat to bats as well, yet offshore bat migration is poorly documented. Accordingly, potential conflicts between bat conservation and offshore wind energy production are difficult to evaluate. Here, we used automated radio-telemetry to track 50 km continuous offshore movements of two Nathusius' pipistrelles (Pipistrellus nathusii) within the Motus network. After crossing the marine waterbody, tagged bats traveled over several hundred kilometers along the coastline from Germany towards the Netherlands and Belgium. Our study highlights the possibility for migratory bats to collide with offshore and coastal wind turbines. Therefore, we plead for implementing pre- and post-construction surveys and adequate mitigation schemes at offshore wind turbines in sensitive areas of the North and Baltic Sea if not already practised.

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