GPS Tracking Reveals How African Raptors Respond to Wind Turbines

As wind energy expands rapidly across Africa, researchers investigated whether raptors avoid individual wind turbines, and whether that depends on the species. The research, published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, looks specifically at what scientists call "meso-scale" avoidance: whether raptors steer clear of individual turbines they encounter in flight (as opposed to macro-scale avoidance, meaning avoiding the entire wind farm). It is the first study to measure meso-scale avoidance in African raptors using GPS tracking, and it involved collaborators from several institutions, including The Peregrine Fund's Dr. Ralph Buij and Dr. Jennifer McCabe.

Kipeto Wind Farm and The Peregrine Fund collaborate to mitigate raptor casualties by integrating TPF's scientific research into the wind park's operational strategies. This data-driven approach allows Kipeto to optimize its Biodiversity Action Plan through targeted measures such as observer-led shutdowns on demand.

Tracking Four Species at a Kenyan Wind Farm

Kipeto Wind Farm in southern Kenya is home to 60 turbines spread across grassland and woodland habitat with a diversity of raptor species including African Hawk-eagles, Martial Eagles, Augur Buzzards, and Rüppell's Vultures. Researchers fitted birds from each of these four species with solar-powered GPS trackers to track their flight paths around the turbines.

All four species showed some avoidance of turbines, though the strength of that avoidance varied. Augur Buzzards showed the clearest pattern: they avoided turbines less than the other species and spent much more time flying at turbine-blade height, likely while hunting close to the ground for prey like rodents. African Hawk-Eagles appeared to avoid turbines the most, but that result came from just two tracked birds. Interestingly, Rüppell's Vultures were sometimes drawn toward turbines rather than away from them when flying above blade height, a pattern opposite to avoidance.

Why One-Size-Fits-All Solutions Fall Short

Because avoidance differs so much by species, the study's authors say a single mitigation strategy won't work across the board. Augur Buzzards (pictured in bottom left photo below), in particular, may need extra attention given how much time they spend at turbine height with relatively low avoidance. The authors point to strategies like keeping turbines away from active nests, shutting turbines down when priority species are nearby, and painting blades to make them more visible, as ways to reduce collisions without stopping the growth of clean energy.

Field Data That Can Inform Conservation Choices

Africa is home to extraordinary raptor diversity, and its wind energy sector is growing quickly. Most past research on raptors and wind turbines came from Europe and North America. Studies like this one give wind farm operators and conservationists real, local data to guide decisions, rather than relying on assumptions from elsewhere. The authors note that more research, with more birds tracked over longer periods, is needed to build a fuller, more confident picture.