The Raptor Protection of Slovakia, in cooperation with the Slovak Electricity Transmission System, Plc. are installing special elements on power lines to increase their visibility for birds.

Millions of birds, including many rare species, die worldwide every year after collisions with power lines. It is therefore extremely important to minimize this significant mortality factor, prioritizing locations with the highest risk of collisions. Improving bird safety through the installation of special elements, so-called flight diverters, on power lines is the main objective of the international LIFE Danube Free Sky project, implemented with the support of the European Union under the LIFE Programme and the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic.

"The Danube River is used by birds as an important migratory corridor in spring and autumn, and the surrounding lowland with its numerous aquatic habitats also represents an important area in terms of species composition and abundance of avifauna. The autumn migration of birds is just peaking, birds often move in large flocks and the risk of collisions with power lines is higher. During the winter months, many species use the Danube as a source of food, and the surrounding fields are full of herons, swans, i.e. species belonging to the group most at risk of collisions," says Roman Slobodník from the Raptor Protection of Slovakia.

"Transmission lines near the Danube do not pose a danger to birds in their entirety. It is only necessary to focus on the risky sections, which we can define thanks to a special methodology. In terms of risk, the biggest problem for flying birds is the highest rope on the transmission line. Its task is to protect the line from lightning strikes. Almost 80 % of all bird strikes are recorded after a collision with it. Especially during morning and evening overflights, when light conditions are insufficient, the ground rope is almost invisible to birds," informs Marek Gális from the Raptor Protection of Slovakia.

"At SEPS, we have always been committed to maintaining the quality of the environment alongside our primary task - the safe and stable operation of the transmission system. Climate commitments to future generations require further expansion and development of the electricity system, along with wider use of renewable energy sources, while at the same time it is important to take care of the protection of the landscape and its nature. As part of the international LIFE Danube Free Sky project, these days we are installing special elements on the transmission lines' ground rope to increase its visibility for birds. In this first stage, we are installing movable slat deflectors on selected risk sections in the Lehnice Special Protection Area. Their contrasting black and white design alerts birds to the obstruction during the day and night when many nocturnal species fly close to our lines. In the next two years, we are planning to install the elements within the project on the sections defined by the Raptor Protection of Slovakia for a total of 70 kilometers, which represents the highest risk of birds collisions in the vicinity of the Danube River in our territory," concludes Miroslav Janega, Chief Operating Officer and member of the SEPS Board of Directors.   

"The installation of flight diverters is currently the most effective and fastest way to solve the problem of bird strikes on power lines not only in Slovakia but on a global scale. These diverters have been specially developed for the colour spectrum perceived by birds and have undergone rigorous testing for extreme weather conditions. By installing them on risky sections of power lines, there is a significant reduction in bird mortality, in our conditions it is up to more than 90% reduction," concludes Marek Gális.