Presence of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in upland landscapes of the Upper Midwest during winter: implications for wind energy

Sara Schmuecker

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Illinois University

Sara Schmuecker is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Rock Island Ecological Services Field Office, located in Moline, Illinois. In 2015, Sara conducted an update of the USFWS Natural Resource Inventory database, documenting eagle nest locations and significant roosting sites at a landscape scale along the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Rivers. She carried forward this effort to increase information regarding Bald Eagle use of the Midwest landscape over the past two years, conducting research on the Midwest Bald Eagle population and its interaction with energy infrastructure. In partnership with West Virginia University, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Cellular Tracking Technologies, Sara has worked to inform management decisions regarding the placement and operation of wind energy facilities in an effort to reduce Bald Eagle conflicts with the growing wind energy industry.

Abstract

Over the next 35 years, the United States’ energy produced by wind power is expected to increase dramatically, resulting in construction of many new wind facilities. The Upper Midwest is likely to be a focal area for this... [ view full abstract ]

Authors

  1. Sara Schmuecker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Illinois University)
  2. Drew Becker (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
  3. Michael Lanzone (Cellular Tracking Technologies LLC)
  4. Todd Katzner (U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center)
  5. Bob Fogg (Cellular Tracking Technologies LLC)
  6. Tricia Miller (Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University)

Topic Areas

Evaluating novel approaches (e.g., conceptual, methodological, technological) to avoiding, , Risk prediction , Birds , U.S. - Great Lakes-Big Rivers (USFWS Region 3) , Mitigation , Technology - other , Land-based

Session

00 » Posters (12:30 - Friday, 2nd December, Centennial Ballroom)

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