Bird collisions with power lines in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Abstract

The article summarizes the results of research in four selected sites (observations) on the impact of surface power lines on bird death in the area of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2016-2017. Studies show that electrical wires have a major impact on bird death during the spring migration and nesting period. We determined that 225 individual of 27 species were killed by electric shock in selected areas, while 16 individuals belonging to 3 predator bird species were exposed to this threat. Two of these species are in the World Red List. The next plot with high mortality rate was the Cananbar well - Shikhmahmud plain (2 km), although we did not make a research here for the first two months. An average mortality rate of birds here were 2.72 individuals/km. The electric poles in the selected Nakhchivan - Shikhmahmud road (4 km) consisted mainly of wooden material and were sometimes replaced with reinforced concrete. We attribute the fact that the percentage of deaths in this area is lower than other stations because of the poles are more wooden. Among the dead birds some species belonging to the Red List of the World (Falco naumanni and Coracias garrulus). As we already mentioned, beside the overhead electric wires were mainly dangerous to Ciconia ciconia, Buteo rufinus and eagles. The dead and wounded species were recorded only one to four km from the electric line. Among the most common species exposed electric shocks were: Columba livia, Merops apiaster, Corvus frugilegus, Sturnus vulgaris and Passer domesticus. A total of 3,225 birds from 26 species were killed by the private electric shock during the study, four birds could not be identified (unknown species). When looking at the process from a landscape-species perspective, bird species - those most exposed to the electric wires are: less open, open space (loos); forest landscape (fl); residential areas (ra) and less grove areas (lga).