News
Roanoke County bird-watchers worry about windmills' wake
So far this year, they have recorded more than 2,800 raptors above Poor Mountain, which is along the migratory path that can take the birds all the way to South America.
Raptors are threatened by turbines because they fly at such high elevations and tend to follow ridgelines when they migrate.
September 28, 2011
by Laurence Hammack
in The Roanoke Times
Opposition to the proposed Roanoke County wind farm is partly linked to its potential to kill some birds and bats.
They stand on top of Roanoke County's highest mountain, heads tilted backward and binoculars pointed skyward, and strain to see even higher.
"Here's something good coming through," one of the bird counters says as a speck in the sky, a hawk, moves closer. "It's a broad-wing."
"There," another says a little later. "I think it's a raven."
Later, the day's highlight: "Bald eagle! Bald eagle!"
As they do every year when autumn approaches, a small group of bird-watchers gathered Tuesday afternoon on Poor... [continue via Web link]
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