It is estimated that there are more than 65 million km of medium-to-high-voltage power lines worldwide. Several studies have clearly shown that these linear infrastructures pose a risk of collision and electrocution for birds, including endangered species.
In Portugal this is also a reality, with more than 234,000 km of aerial distribution power lines throughout the country, of which more than 9,000 km are located in Natura 2000 protected areas. Within these protected areas, 107 bird species die due to collision and electrocution on power lines.
Several previous projects in Portugal and Spain have recorded high bird mortality due to interactions with power lines, including the 7 target species of this project, which are threatened and identified as priorities for conservation in Annex I of the Birds Directive.
