Power line strikes by Black-necked Cranes and Bar-headed Geese in Tibet Autonomous Region

Abstract

We investigated collisions with power lines by Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) and Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region during two winters. Three segments of a 35 kV transmission line were surveyed each winter for injured and dead birds. Injured birds disappeared within five days of their initial detection; most dead birds encountered had been scavenged. We recorded two dead geese on transects and two injured geese and two dead cranes adjacent to transects. We found a higher incidence of bird strikes along power line segments close to roosting and foraging areas. We recommend that power lines, new or old, located in the flight path from nocturnal roosts, near important foraging areas or crossing the mouths of important agricultural valleys should be marked with colored and/or reflecting devices that have been proven to reduce crane and goose collisions.