"Seabirds 'Steer Clear' of Offshore Wind Farms"

"British Trust for Ornithology finds 99% of birds avoid wind turbines, easing fears over the impact of blades but cation still needed."

"Research by the British Trust for Ornithology and the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, published this week, found most gannets would avoid even entering a wind farm area, while gulls do enter the area but then avoid flying near the spinning blades.

The study, which was carried out on behalf of the Scottish government, suggested more than 99% of seabirds would change direction to avoid colliding with wind farms, although a small proportion would not.

Aonghais Cook, a researcher for BTO, said more work was needed, however, to understand the impact on other kinds of birds, such as northern gannets, and he urged developers and planning inspectors to still show caution when assessing the wildlife risks associated with new projects."

Jessica Shankleman reports for Business Green via the Guardian Environmental Network December 18, 2014.