Field activities to identify dangerous lines from the power grid

Field work on the study of bird mortality along key sections of overhead power lines in Northeastern Bulgaria is in full swing. Within 8 months in 2023, field collaborators of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) conducted surveys in order to search for birds that died from electric shock or collision with wires. Based on the data collected, priority areas for securing will also be determined.

The study areas were selected after a preliminary analysis based on available data on vulnerable species deposits, priority habitats, Natura 2000 protected areas, previous information on dead birds, etc.

Currently, sections of the electricity transmission network in North-East Bulgaria with a length of 1300 km are being studied. So far, more than 100 victims of 24 species have been found. Among them there are storks, day and night birds of prey, pigeons, crows, etc. It is expected that in the next few months, which coincide with the period of post-nesting wanderings of young individuals and intensive migration to the eastern regions of the country, mortality will increase.

The activities are carried out within the framework of the project “Safe Sky for Birds in North-East Bulgaria”, implemented jointly by Elektrodistribuenie North AD (ERP North) — the electricity distribution company in Northeastern Bulgaria, and BSPB. Over the next few years, it is planned to secure more than 10,000 dangerous electric ladders and mark overhead lines with more than 2,000 reflective diverters, as well as providing safe nesting sites for target species.