Protecting migrating species at wind projects

Each fall, as temperatures cool and leaves begin to change, many animals prepare for seasonal changes, including bats – appropriately for the Halloween season. Like birds, some bat species travel long distances in search of warmer climates and better feeding conditions. 

Bats depend on insects for food, and many insects disappear or go dormant when temperatures drop. To survive the winter, bats have two options: Hibernate or migrate. Some bats hibernate in caves or old buildings during winter. Others fly hundreds or even thousands of miles to warmer regions.  

Migration poses some risks for bats, including harsh weather, predators and exhaustion. Bats use echolocation to navigate and must also dodge obstacles like buildings, cars, cellular towers – and wind turbines.  

To mitigate risks to bats from wind turbines, we teamed up with researchers at Natural Power to develop and test the EchoSense Bat Curtailment technology at our English Farms Wind Farm in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

EchoSense technology uses advanced acoustic sensors mounted on wind turbines to detect bats’ high-frequency echolocation calls. The system analyzes these calls to identify when bats are near wind turbines and temporarily shuts them down to prevent collisions.  

We use this technology at English Farms to protect endangered species such as the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat, among others. By minimizing bat fatalities, EchoSense helps maintain biodiversity and the balance of our ecosystems.  

Why protect bats? 

Bats are essential members of our natural ecosystems. Plus, as pollinators, they facilitate the reproduction of wild plants that purify our water, support soil fertility and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 

Pollinators are essential to our daily lives. In fact, over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1,200 crops around the world need pollinators to survive. You can help protect pollinators at home by making and scattering seed balls or planting a micro prairie in your backyard.