Bird markers on high-voltage overhead lines in Belgium
Birds often collide with high-voltage overhead lines because they have not seen them earlier. In order to make it easier for birds to see them and to reduce the number of collisions, Omexom in Belgium has installed bird markers on behalf of Elia - the Belgian high-voltage network operator - on the overhead line along the R4 road in Evergem, in the Ghent Canal Zone.
Omexom in Belgium has installed bird markers on behalf of Elia – the Belgian high-voltage network operator – on the overhead line along the R4 road in Evergem, in the Ghent Canal Zone.
This installation follows a study by Natuurpunt showing that birds often collide with the overhead line in question. The Evergem overhead line is one of the most dangerous for birds: it is now equipped with bird markers over a distance of one kilometre.
Belgium has more than 5,600 kilometres of overhead power lines, of which 325 kilometres pose an increased risk to birds, and the Natuurpunt study shows an increased risk on about 6% of all overhead lines in Belgium.
Elia has already installed beacons on a total of 50 kilometres. Initial checks by Natuurpunt show that the number of birds injured or killed by collisions has fallen considerably since the markers were installed.
Natuurpunt and Elia are working together to make overhead lines more visible to birds.
Copyright photos: Elia