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.

 

The second day of the event was devoted to the field trip. Participants visited project territories, where the protection measures on the high voltage electricity grids have been installed. The LOD staff showed the grids with the protection measures, which increase the visibility of the wires and protect from the short circuit the birds, as well as nesting boxes for Common Kestrel, which have been erected on the electricity pylons. Participants also visited Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve, which is one of the birds’ paradise in Lithuania with thousands of birds in various seasons. There they got a unique opportunity to see outcomes of another LIFE project „LIFE MagniDucatusAcrola" – 50 juveniles of Aquatic Warbler brought from Belarus have been raised in Zuvintas with the aim to restore local population of this globally threatened bird.

 

 

Installation of the birds’ protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission
grid in Lithuania. Questions & Answers
Liutauras Raudonikis, Justina Liaudanskytė-Mažulė, Mantas Kulikauskas, Lithuania

Birds’ monitoring within the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania:
outcomes and results. Questions & Answers
Marius Karlonas, Julius Morkūnas, Armandas Naudžius, LOD, Lithuania

Mortality and collision minimization in powerlines – comparing anti-collision devices.
Questions & Answers
Julieta Costa, SPEA, Portugal

Electrocution in powerlines – prevention and minimization. Questions & Answers
Rui Machado, SPEA, Portugal

Hammarprodukter Firefly Bird Diverter - Proof of Function, Mortality Reduction and
economical Drone Mounting. Questions & Answers
Dr. Klaus Schmitt, Hammarprodukter AB, Germany
Lars Hammar, Hammarprodukter AB, Sweden

REN Biodiversity Chair: a (Portuguese) successful TSO-Science partnership on bird-power
line interactions. Questions & Answers
Dr. Ricardo Martins, CIBIO-InBIO, University of Porto, Portugal

Hotline for reporting bird mortality: a collaborative approach. Questions & Answers
Andrew Carryer, Renewables Grid Initiative, Germany

Modernization and reconstruction of electricity distribution grid for birds' protection.
Questions & Answers
Krum Gledzharski, Mariya Georgieva, CEZ Distribution Bulgaria AD, Bulgaria

Identification of Black Spot for bird mortality on high-voltage powerlines in Belgium by
combining sensitivity mapping, citizen sciences and field expertise. Questions & Answers
Jean-Yves Paquet, Natagora, Belgium

Mitigation measures to reduce electrocution of globally threatened birds in Bulgaria 2008-
2018. Questions & Answers
Svetoslav Spasov, Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds, Bulgaria