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Geographic scope
Barcelona and Tarragona (Catalonia)
Period
2007-2008
Analysis of the interactions of the Bonelli's Eagle with overhead electricity transmission infrastructures in Catalonia
Determine the use made of electricity towers by Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), according to their design and availability in the territories. To obtain an in-depth knowledge of the factors that have an impact on their use of the towers and those that determine the spans of lines crossed by the eagles in their flights, analyzing the impact of lines on the mortality rate of territorial individuals.
Results
- Radio-tracking of 18 territorial individuals (11 males and 7 females) and GPS-satellite tracking of 3 individuals (3 males).
- The Bonelli's Eagle has the preference of perching on electricity transmission towers (110-400 kV) versus distribution towers (≤ 66kV). The percentage of perching time is 8% of their daily time, for some individuals this reaches 34%.
- The factors that determine the use of the electricity transmission towers (110-400 kV) are: their location in the areas most actively used by eagles (50% kernels), the predominant presence of scrubland habitat and the elevated height of the towers.