Ornithology and Onshore Wind Energy

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This Green Tech Skillnet Micro Credential is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union www.eufunds.ie.

Note: Grant funding comes from Skillnet Ireland through the Irish National Training fund, and, as a result, is ONLY available to residents of the Republic of Ireland who work as a sole trader, or for a private or semi-state commercial company registered in ROI. If you are not eligible for the discount, you will still have the option to enrol by paying the full course fee. Please read Eligibility Criteria.

Applications are open now. Enquire for the application link.

This interdisciplinary course explores the ecological impacts of onshore wind energy infrastructure on terrestrial bird populations. Students will critically examine the interactions between wind turbines, habitat alteration, and bird behaviour, with a focus on species vulnerability, collision mortality, displacement, and population-level effects. The course integrates concepts from ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, and environmental policy. Students will review and evaluate peer-reviewed literature, environmental impact assessments, and case studies from around the world with a focus on Ireland.

Understand the direct and indirect effects of onshore wind energy on bird populations.
Identify and monitor at risk species.
Analyse and critique scientific studies and environmental assessments related to wind energy development.
Apply ecological and statistical tools to assess risk and impact.
Develop evidence-based recommendations for minimizing avian impacts of wind infrastructure.

Indicative content:

Week 1: 23rd – 27th March

Introduction to Terrestrial Avian Ecology with Species ID
Introduction to Bird Survey Techniques

Week 2: 30th – 3rd April

Bird Flight Mapping and Behaviour
Collision risk modelling

Week 3: 6th April – 10th April

Mortality Monitoring and Collision Detection
Habitat Loss and Displacement Effects

Week 4: 13th – 17th April

Population-Level Impact Assessments
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Wind Projects

Week 5: 20th – 24th April

Monitoring and Mitigation Techniques
Emerging Technologies and Future Directions

Field trip to Mountlucas Wind Farm and field trip to another location TBC. Focus on field reports, data collection, height estimation.

By the end of the course you will have a comprehensive overview of the bird species that can be impacted by onshore wind energy infrastructure, the potential impacts, how to measure them and how to set out monitoring all of the above in the field.

Ornithologists

Ecologists

Environmental Consultants

Environmental Advisors

Biodiversity Officers

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Specialists

EIA Consultants (Wind Projects)

Wildlife Surveyors

Bird / Avian Surveyors

Environmental Project Managers

Environmental & Consenting Coordinators

Conservation Officers

Planning & Environmental Officers

Renewable Energy Environmental Specialists

Dr Adam Kane

Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College Dublin (UCD)

Dr Kane’s studies cover two main areas of research in biology – movement ecology, particularly of birds, and media portrayals of nature. He frames the results of his research in these areas in a conservation context. He is particularly interested in determining drivers of foraging behaviour and using these locations as targets for conservation action/ wildlife management.