At the end of June 2019, the Lithuanian ornithological society (LOD) has been informed that the European Commission has approved the Final report of the project “Installation of the bird protection measures on the high voltage electricity transmission grid in Lithuania” LIFE13 BIO/LT/001303. The project of 4,5 years duration was implemented by the LOD in cooperation with the LITGRID, which is the only Lithuanian high voltage electricity transmission operator. The Project implementation aimed at the main goals , as follows: 

• To improve the conservation status of the migratory, wintering and some breeding bird species, through reduction of the negative impact of high voltage overhead electricity transmission lines on their populations; 
• To support reproduction conditions for breeding populations of the common kestrel and other falcon species, through the implementation of special supportive conservation measures.

One of the most successful results is that for the first time in Lithuania data revealing the scope of bird deaths nationally was collected, also the so called  “hot spots“ were identified, i.e. the sites where particularly high numbers of bird deaths occur, also assessment of efficiency of protection measures was carried out; and as bird observations in the high voltage electricity transmission grid prior to the Project implementation had been fragmented the data collected during these observations did not allow to make overall conclusions concerning scopes of bird mortality caused by collisions with wires of high voltage electricity transmission lines. The Lithuanian Ornithological Society and LITGRID  will continue the cooperation beyond the Project. According to the existing practice when high voltage electricity transmission lines are renovated or new ones built if the procedures require to prepare Environmental Impact Assessment ornithologists are invited to render assistance in identifying the most dangerous segments of the electricity lines for birds.  When Lithuania joins the common European electricity transmission network, the impact of high voltage electricity transmission lines on birds will be carried out, and the most threatening lines will be marked with visibility increasing measures. LITGRID  foresees to implement bird protection measures for replaced pylons (200 units annually), i.e.  wishbone type bird flight diverters impeding birds (storks) to perch on support structures above insulators, also saucer type casings of a bigger diameter above insulators will be erected.

The main Beneficiary of the Project the Lithuanian Ornithologist Society will produce at least 20 nest-boxes for kestrels in the next 5 years. LITGRID will erect them on pylons of high voltage electricity lines to replace damaged or unfit ones for further use nest-boxes.

The Lithuanian Ornithologist Society will continue information dissemination activities: mass-media will be informed about the implemented measures, the website will be maintained and upgraded with news about activities of the Project Partners. Information concerning bird victims beneath the high voltage electricity lines will be collected on a voluntary basis (involving members of the LOD), and the collected data will enable to identify lines posing threats and facilitate installation of visibility increasing measures on the wires.

 

 The detailed Final report can be found HERE.