The Slovak electricity transmission system Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a. s. (SEPS) with the cooperation of the Raptor Protection of Slovakia is currently installing flight diverters on transmission power lines to increase their visibility to birds. Every year, millions of birds die worldwide as a result of collisions with power lines,

and the victims often include several rare and endangered species. Minimizing this significant factor of mortality is therefore extremely important, especially in areas with the highest risk of collisions. During this phase, 43 km of 400 kV transmission lines will increase their visibility for birds. In total, within the LIFE Danube Free Sky project, co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, several thousand of diverters are being installed on 70 km of transmission lines in Slovakia¹.

The installation of bird flight diverters is currently the most effective and fastest way to tackle the problem of bird collisions with power lines, not only in Slovakia but worldwide. These devices have been specially developed for the color spectrum perceived by birds and have undergone rigorous testing in extreme weather conditions. The contrasting design of the devices alerts birds to the obstacle during the day, while the devices are also visible at night, when many nocturnal species fly close to power lines. Installing them on risky sections of power lines significantly reduces bird mortality due to collisions with power lines. In our conditions, this represents a decrease of collisions of more than 90%.

In Slovakia, flight diverters were instaled also on 3 km of distribution power lines, by the project partner Energy distributor for the Western Slovakia Západoslovenská distribučná, a.s., responsible for insulating more than 850 utility poles to minimize the risk of electrocution of birds. 

1 Flight diverters are installed within the LIFE Danube Free Sky project also in other countries: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. In total, 245 km of power lines are more visible for birds thanks to the mitigation measures.