EPP North supports a project for the conservation of the red-breasted goose

The project “Conservation of the Red-breasted Goose along its migratory path” is aimed at the conservation of the globally endangered red-throated goose that winters in Bulgaria. This is the first project of its kind to cover the entire migration route of the globally endangered red-throated goose species, as well as 100% of its global population. The project has a duration of 5 years (September 2017 — October 2022) and includes implementation of specific activities aimed at the conservation of the species in 19 target areas along its migration path. The project is coordinated by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds in partnership with 10 other organizations in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Romania.

Two of the target areas in Bulgaria falling within the scope of the project are in the protected areas “Durankulashko Lake” and “Shablenski Lake Complex”, located on the territory of the municipality of Shabla, Dobrich district. One of the activities planned for implementation during the development of the project, which concerns the electricity distribution company, is securing power lines in the wintering places of the red-eared goose in the Primorska Dobrudzha region.

In connection with the implementation of the project, in coordination with BSPB, ERP North took an active part in the activity to reduce the risk of bird collisions with 20 kV overhead power lines located in the area of Dobrich Regional Center. One power line is in the area of Krapets, and the other is between the village of Durankulak and Camping Kosmos, with a total length of about 4 km.

The method of securing used is by placing diverters on the two power lines. These are devices with specially designed for this purpose light reflectors, hung on the wires at certain distances. They are rotated by the wind and so attract the birds' attention to the air wires and make them easier to spot. The wires marked in this way almost completely eliminate the collision of birds with them.

The installation of the diverters was carried out with the active participation of electricians from the Network Metering District Shabla of the electricity distribution company.