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Ornithological Science
Abstract
Abstract
Carcass persistence rates strongly affect estimation of avian fatalities resulting from collisions with wind turbines. Our aim was to compare bird carcass persistence rates based on trials during different seasons at wind farms where the ground was snow covered in winter. Carcass persistence was found to be considerably shorter during late winter than during summer/autumn, and was considered to result from food shortages for terrestrial vertebrate scavengers during winter, and the higher visibility of carcasses resting on snow-covered ground in late winter. It is critical to represent carcass persistence rates in different seasons at wind farms.
We would like to thank the staff of Hokkaido Seabird Center in Haboro and Shiretoko Museum in Shari for providing bird carcasses for our trials. We also thank wind-power companies and the local government of Tomamae for their cooperation with our field surveys. This study was funded by a Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society.
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