At the end of June 2019, the Lithuanian ornithological society (LOD) has been informed that the European Commission has approved the Final report of the project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303.
Watch live translation from Common kestrels’ nest on the Klaipėda University building – the female started incubation and probably still lying eggs. When female is incubating eggs, male delivers some prey items and taking place of incubation, when female is eating pray brined by him. Last year this family successfully raised 6 juveniles, while other kestrels on average – 3 offspring.
On March 12-13, 2019, the EC representative Santiago Urquijo Zamora together with local monitoring expert Viktorija Maceikaite visited project beneficiaries – Lithuanian Ornithological Society and high voltage overhead electricity transmission lines operator “Litgrid”. During the meeting achievements of the project were presented, as well as the long-term impact of the installed protection measures for birds and future plans were discussed. Later guests had opportunity to see project territories in Aukštaitija region, where the measures for increase of the wires’ visibility and nest-boxes for kestrels were installed. Guests had also opportunity to see conservation measures protecting birds from short circuit.
The last Project Monitoring Committee meeting took place in Vilnius on December 19, 2018. The meeting was attended by the project partners - LOD and AB „Litgrid“ staff, as well as representatives from Ministry of Environment and State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environment.
The project staff Julius Morkūnas presented ongoing project activities and achievements at the national radio show „Gamta - visų namai“.
We kindly invite you to read an article about successfully implemented project and its results in a weekly newspaper “Žaliasis pasaulis”.
September 19, 2018, Lithuanian Ornithological Society organised a field trip South Lithuania and Žuvintas lake. Organisers of the trip presented to the participants results of the practical conservation actions performed in the frame of the jointly with the electricity transmission operator AB “Litgrid” implemented project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” (No. LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303). At the field trip took part media representatives, as well as communication and public relations specialists, representatives from the Ministry of Energy and AB “Litgrid”.
The European Commission has approved the prolongation of the project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” No. LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303. The project, which is implemented by the Lithuanian Ornithological Society in cooperation with the electricity transmission operator AB „Litgrid“, was prolonged by 5 months, until the end of 2018.
Lithuanian Ornithological Society in cooperation with the LITGRID AB, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, organised international seminar “Birds’ protection practices on electricity grids”, which was held on 28-29 June, 2018, in Vilnius. The main aim of the event was to invite relevant stakeholders (representatives of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and its subordinated institutions, electricity grid operators from different countries, producers of the bird protection measures for electrogrids, etc.), birds’ experts, scientists, representatives of national and international green route NGOs, to share experience of different countries, discuss the problems and achieved project results, conclude best known practices, which are the most effective for the reduction of the birds’ mortality on electricity grid. Participants from Portugal, Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Belarus and other countries shared their experience with the Lithuanian colleagues. This seminar was one of the final activities, organised in the frame of the EU LIFE+ project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” (No. LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303). The project is coming to the end this year, therefore it was a great opportunity to share the findings and experience, gained in Lithuania, with the international audience.
Watch live translation from the kestrels’ nest – this is a time when parents intensively feed the offspring (the most often on the menu are small rodents). This nest-box was installed on the building of Klaipėda University and kestrels successfully breed there more than 5 years. This is a second year, when everybody has an opportunity to observe kestrels’ live from very close distance. The nest was occupied at the end of April. Last year the kestrels raised 3 juveniles in this nest.
The 4th Project Monitoring Committee meeting took place in Vilnius on 29th of May, 2018, with participation of project’s partners’ staff as well as representatives from the Ministry of Environment, State Service for Protected Areas and the AB “Elektros skirstomieji tinklai”.
Publication Birds' protection and Electricicty transmission lines is prepared by the the Lithuanian Ornithological Society
Population of one of the smallest breeding species of falcons in Lithuania Common Kestrel (Falco tininculus), which was assigned to the category of extinct bird species, is recovering. The positive changes are observed due to the project, which is implemented by the Lithuanian Ornithological Society in cooperation with the AB Litgrid. The population has increased by 500 individuals since the practical measures were introduced.
Seeking to decrease the birds’ mortality cases due to short circuit or striking into the wires and to improve breeding conditions of the Common Kestrel, AB LITGRID continued installation of the protection measures, planned within the EU financed LIFE + project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania “ No LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303. The visibility of the wires was increased in the most dangerous for the birds places. During the project implementation time until January 1, 2018, spiral type markers for increasement of the visibility of wires were installed on the electricity lines between 337 pillars. 75 sections were additionally upgraded with the special visibility increasing markers (see the picture).
During the check of the electricity transmission lines in October 2017 – April 2018, in various places of Lithuania 51 dead birds were found (18 species). The most often among them - European Golden Plover (8) and Northern Lapwing (7). These birds in autumn compound large aggregates in the fields.
Together with the spring in Lithuania, the Common Kestrels started to occupy the nesting boxes, which were made in the frame of the project. The first kestrels in the nesting boxes erected on the poles of the high voltage electricity transmission lines were observed on March 21, 2018, in Klaipėda district. A few days later, March 27-29, birds were seen in other places overall Lithuania.
Lithuanian Ornithological Society published project calendar for 2018 –“At a junction of two worlds”. The new calendars have been distributed to project stakeholders and various institutions. Member of the Lithuanian Ornithological Society can get calendar at the LOD Secretariat or during the Annual meeting of LOD members.
Kestrel was not a common birds’ species in Lithuania before the start of the project – the population was counted as 150-300 breeding pairs. It’s planned during the project implementation to install 500 nesting boxes, out of which 445 are already in place.
Autumn migration starts in August with the peak in September-October and continues until the end of November. In the meantime the project staff is monitoring effectiveness of the protection measures and in particular it applies to the high-voltage electricity lines. Ornithologists concentrate on the crossing points of the high voltage electricity lines and the most intensive birds migration routes based on the maps and yearly observations. Most of such sites were identified at the start of the project and consequently protection measures were installed on the lines with the highest risk for birds. During the project a few types of protection measures were used with the aim to decrease mortality rate of the migrating birds. Spiral markers and bird diverters increase visibility of the wires and these measures were applied on the high intensity routes, e.g. Nemunas river in Kaunas city (it is the biggest wintering site in Lithuania), fishponds and meadows close to Butinge (intensive migration route).
The Third Project Monitoring Committee meeting took place on 15th of November 2017 in Vilnius with participation of project partners from the LOD and AB „Litgrid“ as well as representatives of the Ministry of Environment, State Service for Protected Areas and AB „Elektros skirstomieji tinklai“.
Autumn migration starts in August with the peak in September-October and continues until the end of November. In the meantime the project staff is monitoring effectiveness of the protection measures and in particular it applies to the high-voltage electricity lines. Ornithologists concentrate on the crossing points of the high voltage electricity lines and the most intensive birds migration routes based on the maps and yearly observations. Most of such sites were identified at the start of the project and consequently protection measures were installed on the lines with the highest risk for birds. During the project a few types of protection measures were used with the aim to decrease mortality rate of the migrating birds. Spiral markers and bird diverters increase visibility of the wires and these measures were applied on the high intensity routes, e.g. Nemunas river in Kaunas city (it is the biggest wintering site in Lithuania), fishponds and meadows close to Butinge (intensive migration route).
Kestrel was not a common birds’ species in Lithuania before the start of the project – the population was counted as 150-300 breeding pairs. It’s planned during the project implementation to install 500 nesting boxes, out of which 445 are already in place.
The nests were checked from mid of June until early August. Some nests were checked even twice as the breeding season this year was quite late. Out of 445 nests 71 were occupied by the Kestrels, 65 pairs successfully breed (14,6% out of erected nesting boxes). In total 193 offspring were counted with an increase of 84 individuals comparing with the last year.
Implementing the project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania”, the Lithuanian Ornithological Society created a film “ At a junction of two worlds”, which was also published in the DVD format. The film gives an overview on very actual problem of the birds’ death near the electricity transmission lines, presents the project actions and implemented birds’ protection measures. It’s an attractive and informative tool for the general public on the problems, which are being solved by the project.
One of the project’s key objectives was to improve Common Kestrel’s breeding conditions and seeking to achieve it, more than 500 nesting boxes were erected on the poles of the high voltage electricity transmission lines.
The report of D2 activity (Ex-ante and post-ante monitoring on the effectiveness of the project conservation actions (I-II))
In Klaipėda, during project (Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania) installed nest boxes are used by Kestrel. One of them erected on Klaipeda University several years is used by pair of Kestrel. This time all of you can have opportunity to watch live streaming of Kestrel live in nest box. At this time female is just starting incubation, and probably still lying eggs. As this cold spring was unusual for the birds and they started breeding season one months later than usual. When female is incubating eggs male delivers some prey items and taking place of incubation while female is eating, pray brined by him.
Over 130 participants attended the “LIFE fair/LIFE25” event, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment and Environmental Project Management Agency at the University of the Applied Social Sciences in Vilnius. Minister of Environment, Mr. Kęstutis Navickas, during his welcome speech encouraged participants to submit more projects applications, and, in particular, in the field of LIFE climate change mitigation and LIFE Environmental Governance.
Implementing the project "Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania" Lithuanian Ornithological Society created a film revealing the problem of bird mortality near high voltage electricity transmission lines, reviewing project activities and bird protection measures implemented during the project. An attractive, interesting and widely available film is a perfect information source for the general public about the problems being solved during our project.
During the monitoring activities of the high voltage electricity poles, when the potentially dangerous sections of the electricity grid were identified, numerous nests in the inappropriate places were observed. These nests shall be moved after the breeding season, as it increase chance of short circuit. Installation of the Saucer type protection measures is very important for the population of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), as the feeding and breeding area of these birds are close to the electricity lines. However, it must be admitted that the number of nests on the high voltage electricity lines is low in proportion to the low voltage electricity lines.
In order to limit the risk of bird mortality due to short circuit or striking into the wires, and improving the breeding conditions of Common Kestrels LITGRID implemented a series of activities planned in the EU financed LIFE+ project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania “ Nr. LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303 in the first quarter of 2016.
The section of the Nemunas River in Kaunas is the most important bird wintering place in the continental part of Lithuania. Due to exceptional conditions having formed after the construction of hydroelectric power station in Kaunas ( KHE ), open stretches of flowing water remain there even in the coldest winter months. Such places are very important for birds, when all other water bodies are frozen. Thousands of water birds gather lower KHE. Last winter we had frosts only one month, but it was enough to see impressive number of birds here. During this year’s wintering waterfowl counts on 16th January observers registered record number of birds here – 15 156.
The Renewables Grid Initiative is delighted to once again invite European and non European grid operators, project developers, NGOs and public authorities engaged in grid projects to submit their most exciting and innovative good practices for the competition. Practices in the following categories will be rewarded: Communication & Participation, Technology & Design, and Environmental Protection.
After summarizing the monitoring of Project activities in 2015, Project staff has prepared the report of D2 activity (Ex-ante and post-ante monitoring on the effectiveness of the project conservation actions). The report provides the methods of the project conservation actions, which include the monitoring of bird mortality under high voltage power transmission lines before and after putting the measures of visualization, data on White storks mortality of electric charges and the survey of efficiency of nest-boxes for Kestrels. You can find here the data collected prior to implementation of project activities, and data collected in 2015, which helps to evaluate the first results of the actions implemented.
In order to limit the risk of bird mortality due to short circuit or striking into the wires, and improving the breeding conditions of Common Kestrels. In 2015 LITGRID implemented a series of activities planned in the EU financed LIFE+ project Paukščių apsaugos priemonių įdiegimas Lietuvos aukštos įtampos elektros energijos perdavimo tinkluose“ Nr. LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303. The visibility of the wires was increased putting a special marker on them: 1494 white spiral markers and 1255 bird diverters (in 5, the most dangerous places for birds). 572 spiral markers and 690 bird diverters of the given number were installed in the last quarter of 2015.
Lithuanian Ornithological Society has published and started distribution a book for secondary schools “Birds and high voltage electricity transmission lines. When is safe to live?”. The target audience of this booklet is school pupils, and the aim is to describe the given problem and possible solutions. In addition, the booklet invites schoolchildren to join conservation actions, as they can find all information about where and how to send information about dead birds found under high voltage electricity lines.
These activities and public assistance are very important if we want to collect the data on the segments of the lines where bird collisions are the most often, and where the implementation of the specific safeguards could significantly reduce bird mortality and the damage of electricity transmission lines to nature.
During the Project different measures protecting birds from the short circuit and trying to reduce the risk of bird collisions into high voltage electricity transmission lines while increasing their visibility are planned to implement, as well as nestboxes for falcons are erected on the pylons of high voltage electricity transmission grid in the large part of the country.
 Kaunas. M.Karlono nuotrauka - Copy.jpg)
After the first frost millions of birds moved South. A large part of them have passed through Lithuania, another part is still on the move. These days the biggest flocks of passerines have left our country, however, waterfowl are on migration making longer stops in our water bodies. One of such places serving not only as temporary stop, but also as a wintering place, is Kaunas. Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant built after damming the River Nemunas in the last century, even during the coldest winters prevents the river waters a few kilometres down the Plant from freezing.
About the half the planned nesting boxes planned while implementing the project action “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” (LIFE13 BIO / E / 001303) were erected on the high-voltage poles in the Western Lithuania. This year birds have not occupied the new nesting boxes yet, as they were erected late in the season, when kestrels had already chosen their breeding places or had been incubating clutches.
Due to initiative of the Lithuanian Ornithological Society and the Klaipeda University, kestrel nesting boxes were erected four years ago in Western Lithuania, and were successfully used by birds year by year providing useful information for future actions. Nesting boxes were erected on isolated trees or on the buildings in the city of Klaipeda or nearby.
The Lithuanian Ornithological Society in partnership with AB “Litgrid”, which is the high voltage transmission lines operator in Lithuania, started a four years project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” (LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303). The project is financed by the EU LIFE+ Programme.
On the 16th-17th January several pairs of Common Ravens were observed near their nests on the high voltage electricity poles in Trakai and Varėna districts. Birds did not breed, although were preparing their nests and chasing away potential competitors. In several different places both members of the pair were guarding the nests.
Common Ravens start breeding early, usually in February, but sometimes in mild winter conditions can start breeding even in January.
In Nowember 2014 a project leaflet was produced. The leaflet contains information about the main task and objectives of the project, planned actions, target species and means, that are planned to reduce accidental mortality of the birds. The leaflet also presents partyners of the project.
Projektą „Paukščių apsaugos priemonių įdiegimas Lietuvos aukštos įtampos elektros energijos perdavimo tinkluose“ (LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303) finansuoja Europos Sąjungos aplinkos finansinis mechanizmas „LIFE+“, LR Aplinkos ministerija ir projekto partneriai. Projekto pradžia – 2014 m. birželis, planuojama pabaiga – 2018 m. liepa.
