There are many advantages wind turbines and wind farms. They are important providing green energy. However, there are also some disadvantages. One these is that the giant blades on turbines kill thousands birds. Many birds accidentally fly the blades and die. Researchers have found a solution. They say painting one blade black could help birds see the rotating blades. This could cut bird strikes up to 70 per cent. Researcher Dr Roel May said: "The collision birds...is one the main environmental concerns related to wind energy development." The findings the research have been published the conservation journal "Ecology and Evolution".
Dr May and his team conducted research how to reduce the death rate birds due to wind-turbine blades. They painted one blade four different turbines black. The data showed that four years, the turbines with one black blade saw a reduction bird deaths of over 71 per cent. Dr May said: "Few effective measures have been developed to reduce the risk collision." The RSPB, a bird protection group, welcomed the idea. It stressed the importance wind farms needing to "take place harmony with nature". It added: "Wind turbines are the right technology when we find the right places them." It said wind farms should be put places where there is little risk to wildlife.
