With America's search for alternative power sources wind power has become a hot ticket for discussion these days. Are wind turbines a risk to bats? Some researchers say yes while other researchers say no. Both parties agree that some bats are killed by wind turbines; however, the disagreement seems to center more around what bats are affected and how the bats are killed.
Recent studies show very limited evidence that wind turbines pose a significant threat to bats from being hit by the blades. Most bats hit by wind turbines appear to be those traveling through the area versus those that live or feed close to the turbines. The most common time frames for this to happen is late summer and fall when the animals are moving from their maternity roost to their hibernacula.
But being hit by the turbine blade appears to not be the only way bats die from wind turbines. Studies are showing that the change in air pressure around the turbine is causing internal damage to the bat's lungs as they fly around the area creating a condition known as barotrauma which then leads to the animals death.
One solution that has been proposed to alleviate this problem involves turning off the wind turbines for the night when bats are most active. Whether or not this is a practical solution can be debated by others.
Professional Bat Management Solutions stance on bats and wind turbines is that more research needs conducted before a sound scientific plan can be put in to action.