Wind, water and birds – Ornithologist work at offshore wind farms

As part of our series of articles on the competitions related to the construction of offshore wind farms, we will introduce the work of an ornithologist.

In the article

Ornithologist at the construction of Marine Wind Farms

Ornithologist is one of the necessary experts in the implementation of offshore wind farm projects. Ornithologists are the ones who have the necessary knowledge and experience to assess the impact of such investments on the populations of birds and their habitats.

Planning phase with ornithologist

The wind farm planning and design stage is the time when the ornithologist begins. It must carry out the necessary ornithological studies to assess the presence, activity of various species of birds, as well as the potential risks to them associated with the implementation of investments, and to identify how these risks can be minimised.

Ornithologist / Shipyard Portal — **Photo. An ornithologist involved in research during the environmental campaign, which is part of the IMF/Shutterstock preparation**

To work as an ornithologist, you must meet several criteria:

Education: Higher education is usually required in fields related to biology, ecology, environmental protection or similar. Many ornithologists have a master's degree and often even a doctor in the field of ornithology or related fields.
Experience: Experience in field work with birds is essential. This may include practices, volunteering or traineeships which have enabled bird behaviour, habitats and migration to be observed, explored and understood. It is particularly important to experience observations at sea or from vessels, as the specificity of this work differs significantly from observations on land.
Technical skills: An Ornithologist for bird monitoring in offshore wind farms needs specialized surveillance equipment. This includes, among other things, long distance bird tracking radars, specialized cameras for accurate observation and sound recording devices, ornithological radars, as well as techniques and their characteristics, as the results and quality of sea observation are strongly dependent on them. In view of the marine environment and the difficulties associated with bird surveillance at sea, it must be aware of the specific characteristics of vessels or aircraft in the future, including drones, in order to properly plan and carry out tests. Although he does not always study the collected data himself, he should be able to provide it in the appropriate form to an analyst who, using specialized software and using advanced statistical models, performs calculations which are ultimately interpreted by an ornithologist, which also requires him to know analytical procedures. Given the continuous development of bird research technologies, knowledge and ability to use increasingly newer tools and devices to optimise work will be essential. Cooperation between an ornithologist and an analyst is crucial to obtaining a full picture of the impact of offshore wind farms on bird populations.
Analytical skills: The ornithologist must be able to analyze and interpret the data he has accumulated which requires solid knowledge of statistics and research.
Physical condition: Work of an ornithologist on offshore wind farms requires good physical condition and ability to work in changing weather conditions. Tasks may include long-term stays on research units at sea, observations under difficult conditions and movements between different observation points. High availability is crucial because the test conditions are variable and often difficult to plan in advance. The ornithologist must be ready to leave quickly and be able to spend a few days at sea to carry out research.
Knowledge of bird species: A comprehensive knowledge of bird species in the area of planned investment is crucial to the ornithologist. This knowledge should include not only the identification of individual species, but also the understanding of their behaviour, food habits, life cycles and migration. Knowledge of the dangers that affect different species is equally important. In addition, the ornithologist should be prepared to cooperate with analysts and other specialists to effectively transmit the collected data and interpret the results of the analysis jointly.
Teamwork: In the face of complex analyses and complexity of impacts in the ecosystem, the ornithologist must be able to cooperate effectively with analysts, computer modeling specialists and colleagues of ornithologists involved in the project. The ability to communicate and cooperate in teams is crucial.
Certificates and Licenses: in the context of offshore wind farms: Depending on the region and the specificity of the project related to offshore wind farms, special certificates or licences may be required. For example, in some places you may need a license to ring birds or to conduct research in coastal protected zones. Due to frequent work on vessels, ornithologists should have appropriate training to work on such vessels.
Passion and Patience: in the context of offshore wind farms: When implementing projects related to offshore wind farms, ornithologists have the key task of monitoring birds and their activity in areas of investment. Therefore, the passion for bird learning and patience during long-term, especially under specific sea conditions, is invaluable.
Knowledge of foreign languages: In scientific work very often a fluent knowledge of English is required, which is lingua franca of the world of science. It may also be useful to know other languages, especially if you plan to conduct research in different countries.

Specializations in Ornithology

It should be stressed that ornithology is a broad field of research. In this context, some experts may focus on specific species or groups of birds such as owls or seeding birds. Others adapt their research to the specific needs of the construction of offshore wind farms.

Methodology of Ornithologist work: from monitoring to analysis

The tasks that the ornithologist performs on a daily basis begin with the preparation of the monitoring methodology. The aim is to ensure that the data collected meet the objectives of the research. In particular, they are to establish a database on which reliable analyses and calculations can be carried out. On board a research unit, ornithologists conduct observations of migratory birds using binoculars and specialized ornithological radar. This advanced system allows automatic recording of bird movements, so that ornithologists can observe the routes and altitudes of birds' flights in real time and analyze their behaviour and migration routes.

Ormitologist at the construction of offshore wind farms / Shipyard portal — **Photo. Migrant birds in the IMF/Shutterstock area**

Ornithologist as a key member of the project team

Ornithologists may specialize in specific groups of birds or areas of their occurrence. Their research covers issues such as species classification (taxonomy), anatomy, life cycles and their environmental relationships, and the protection of species at risk of extinction. In the context of offshore wind farms, the key role of the ornithologist is not only to monitor and analyse the impact of these structures on the populations of birds, but, above all, to identify in cooperation with technical departments effective and precise mythology activities to be implemented after careful analysis of the results obtained.

Migration in the context of bird protection

Ornithologist is actively involved in various stages of the implementation of the offshore wind farm project – from the planning phase of the project, through construction, operation, to the liquidation phase of the farm. This involves regular visits to certain time intervals, e.g. on average once a month. Its task is to monitor the situation of birds and identify possible risks. On the basis of its observations, it may propose ad-hoc activities, such as the optimisation of the position of turbines, limiting their operation during key periods for birds, or the use of bird deterrence technology (e.g. sound signals or special lighting). All to minimize the impact of the farm on bird populations.

Ornithology in the context of durability and ecology of offshore wind farms

Marine wind farms are a multidimensional project. It is important to take environmental issues into account at the planning and design stage. Ornithologist, as an indispensable member of the design team, makes sure that technological development goes hand in hand with environmental concern, especially bird populations. Its role does not end with completion of the construction – it continues monitoring to ensure that the farm has a minimal impact on the bird environment. In this way, ornithology becomes a profession of the future, combining engineering innovation with environmental responsibility and contributing to the sustainable development of offshore wind energy.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz