Bat mortality at wind turbines in northwestern Europe.

The article discusses written reports on the effects of wind turbine on bats in northwestern Europe. According to reports, the estimated number of bats killed per turbine annually was relatively low on open farmland and highest at the coast and on forested hills and ridges. Ninety eight percent of species killed belonged to a group adapted for open-air foraging. Meanwhile, 90% of mortality occurred on nights with low wind speeds from July to October. Findings showed that events increased with turbine tower height and rotor diameter. Species other than the open-air suite which are not at risk at wind turbines are still killed occasionally.