20 hours ago
New 'risk-mapping tool' aims to prevent bird deaths from powerlines
Craig Webb says he does not want to share images of dead eagles on his social media pages.
"But the fact is there are so many that I feel like everyone needs to know," the Raptor Refuge founder said.
"I wish there was none. I'm not trying to cause trouble. I'm just trying to put it out there … how many of these birds are succumbing to powerlines."
Raptor Refuge is a not-for-profit sanctuary in southern Tasmania dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the state's birds of prey.
Mr Webb said a "high percentage" of the birds that came into the sanctuary were injured by powerlines.
"There's a real threat to them out there, and we see countless birds brought in with damages, or they're dead," he said.
Technology that is used to mitigate against the risk of birds being electrocuted includes flappers — small reflective disks that hang from powerlines — perches, and covers.
TasNetworks said more than 600 kilometres of its distribution lines had flappers, perches or covers installed — up from 140 kilometres in 2023-24.
It has also used what is called the "delta design standard" that spreads lines further apart to reduce electrocution risk.
Tasmania's powerline network includes 20,310 kilometres of distribution lines.
University of Tasmania researchers, in partnership with TasNetworks, have released a new "risk-mapping tool" aimed at preventing powerline bird deaths.
By tracking 23 wedge-tailed eagles over six years, the research team built a model that predicts where eagles are most likely to cross powerlines, and where the risk of death is highest.
Lead researcher James Pay said powerlines were among the leading causes of injury and death for large birds of prey in Tasmania, and globally.
It is hoped the data will help TasNetworks identify where mitigation technologies are most needed.
"There's some other models that [TasNetworks has] been working on as well," Dr Pay said.
"We're combining them all together to help guide where to put either the different designs of the powerlines or the bird flappers more proactively — rather than relying on where the birds have already been killed."
TasNetworks said it invested almost $1 million every year in bird protection.
In 2023-24, 11 threatened birds were "impacted" by powerlines, down from 26 reported incidents in 2022-23, according to TasNetworks.
Mr Webb is concerned the number of birds injured or killed by powerlines in Tasmania is under-reported.
"These birds are found under or near powerlines where there are people around," he said.
"So you can imagine how under-reported this is because there are so many powerlines that aren't near people and aren't near townships that are not going to be found."
More than 9,400 powerline crossings at "risky altitudes" were recorded during the project.
Mr Webb said it was "a significant number".
"If we can learn from that and do some more mitigation work in those areas, well, that's fantastic," he said.
However, he said more investment in implementing mitigation was needed.
"It's taken all this time to really realise what's happening and how these birds can see these powerlines.
"We've got to catch up to all those kilometres and kilometres of powerlines that have never had anything and, in fact, make it mandatory that all new powerlines have flappers on them."
Dr Pay said installing mitigation technologies could be costly.
"The only thing that really holds it back is the amount it costs to get these things put out and also to maintain them," he said.
"It'd never be feasible to put them everywhere, but [it is feasible] to target them where they're needed, using methods like the model that we've developed."
TasNetworks said mitigation technologies were installed "all the time, based on high-risk areas and new reporting".
"We're investing strongly in new technology like fibreglass cross-arms and the delta design standard to make the network itself more bird safe, in turn reducing the need for flappers and perches," a spokesperson said.
If you find an injured or dead raptor in Tasmania call 1800 RAPTOR (1800 727 867).
