Studying the Red Kite mortality by collision with wind turbines in Belgium

The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) is the largest bird of prey in Belgium. The Belgian population is very important, and it represents a source for neighboring countries populations and the species expansion to the North. This emblematic species benefits from human activities and is therefore sensitive to them. One of the concerns regarding the Red Kite is the controversial wind farms environment, as this bird is known for being particularly sensitive to collision risks. Numerous studies are trying to assess the impact of wind farms on this species, but the subject is complex and includes many local factors. Our study aims to assess the impact of the Red Kite mortality by collision with wind turbine on its Belgian population. The MILANEOL project (a collaboration between University of Liège, CSD Ingénieurs and Natagora) wants to approach the topic broadly through three different parts: 1. Measure mortality via a systematic search for carcasses on the sites of two wind farms in Wallonia (Belgium), 2. Infer the viability of the population based on mortality data and various growth scenarios in a statistical framework, 3. From an ethics standpoint, study what an acceptable mortality is to justify a good conservation status, through interviews with various actors in the field. Our preliminary results, principally based on the cadaver search, on the discussions with local experts and on results from other projects, suggest that collisions with wind turbines have little impact on the Belgian population of Red Kite.