Comparison of activity patterns at altitude of a protected chiropteran species in preoperational studies and in operating wind farms: influence of environmental variables and the presence of wind turbines.

AUTHORS:

Vázquez Gayoso, S.; Toribio Expósito, C.; Puente Montiel, A.; Montes Cabrero, E.; Granero Castro, J.

The increasing expansion of wind energy has raised concerns about its impact on bats, especially high-flying species such as the little nuthatch (Nyctalus leisleri), which is at greater risk of interaction with wind turbines.

In addition to the risk of collision, it is suggested that the turbines could attract bats due to the concentration of insects or their possible similarity to landscape elements, favoring their activity in danger zones.

This study compares the high-altitude activity of Nyctalus leisleri in two equivalent scenarios: Project A (Pre-operational phase 2020, without wind turbines) and Project B (Exploitation phase of a wind farm 2023), also incorporating the effect of environmental variables such as temperature and wind, which directly influence its flight activity.