That turbine doesn't really lean!! We are into the Griffon Vulture migration now. This can be a testing time for the organisations monitoring the raptors and controlling a number of turbines which they are able to do. Yesterday afternoon was a case in point where a number of factors put the incoming flocks at risk. There were around 360 Griffons approaching Raposeira, a brisk wind was blowing which was tiring the vultures and, late in the afternoon the temperature was falling which would put an end to thermal currents. After wheeling around until after 1600hrs, the Griffons finally made a landing before reaching the wind farm, resting for the night around one kilometre away. This morning around 1030hrs and a new day, I was able to see at long distance, the Griffons taking to the air again, assembling initially in a large flock and drifting West towards Sagres. Apart from the main flock, around a dozen birds had come down in the forest where I was. These birds flew over me, gaining height and re-joining the main flock. The wind was from a different direction today, a light Northerly which allowed the Griffons to gain much height quickly. They remained on the peninsula, coming and going for a few hours before leaving the area at a safe height. Unfortunately, one Griffon was lost yesterday at an adjacent wind farm, when it made contact with a turbine blade. Few other raptors were seen apart from increasing numbers of wintering Common Buzzards. Not always well received by the local Sparrowhawks.
Comments are closed.
|
|