elements. The cockpit recordings confirmed bird habituation to moving trains and
that some portion of over-run specific birds were actively using the railway
moments before they faced the approaching train. Nevertheless, the flight characteristics of each species are also a determinant, and species that fly close to the
ground are exposed to a disproportionate collision risk even if they do not make
active use of the railway. These findings led us to conclude that changes in the
community of birds in the surroundings of the HSR are relevant and related to
structural landscape changes and the responses of bird species to the new infrastructure. In addition, bird mortality may have a significant impact on the populations of some species, given the fact that birds cross the collision risk area
frequently. The results may be contentious from an environmental impact perspective given the limited opportunities for mitigation (Rodríguez et al. 2008).
Firstly, changes in the avian community due to the presence of the HSR and the use
of HSR structures are probably difficult to avoid because birds use elements that are
fundamental to the infrastructure, thus, only minor design changes can be implemented to minimize HSR impacts on birds. Secondly, even if the installation of
some devices can reduce flight paths across the railway, their implementation will
be feasible only in short stretches of high ornithological interest due to cost limitations. Finally, reducing train speed in poder to reduce the risk of collisions with
birds would conflict with the core objective of a HSR, making such a strategy again
unlikely along long stretches of railway.
Acknowledgments Jorge Hernández Justribó, Mª José Pérez Sobola, Diego Sánchez Serrano,
and safety personnel from Centro de Estudios y Experimentación of the Ministry for Public Works
(CEDEX) and Ineco helped with fieldwork. Staff from CEDEX and Adif provided kind help with
project logistics. This study was carried out as part the LIFE+ Impacto 0 research project (LIFE 12
BIO/ES/000660) and a research agreement between UAM and CEDEX; both focused on the
mitigation of High Speed Railway impacts on bird populations. The Comunidad de Madrid,
together with the European Social Fund, supports the Terrestrial Ecology Group research group
through the REMEDINAL-3 Research Network (S-2013/MAE-2719).
References
Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C., & Martín, C. A. (Eds.). (2005). La avutarda común en la Península
Ibérica: población actual y método de censo. Madrid: SEO/BirdLife.
Benítez-López, A., Alkemade, R., & Verweij, P. A. (2010). The impacts of roads and other
infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: A meta-analysis. Biological Conservation,
143, 1307–1316.
Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D., & Hill, D. A. (2000). Bird census techniques (2nd ed.). London:
Academic Press.
Bishop, C. A., & Brogan, J. M. (2013). Estimates of avian mortality attributed to vehicle collisions
in Canada. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 8, 2.
Campos, J., & de Rus, G. (2009). Some stylized facts about high-speed rail: A review of HSR
experiences around the world. Transport Policy, 16, 19–28.
Carlton, R. G., & Harness, R. E. (2001). Automated systems for monitoring avian interactions with
utility structures and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigative measures. In: Power
Engineering Society winter meeting (Vol. 351, pp. 359–361). IEEE.
8 Cross-scale Changes in Bird Behavior Around …
131
that some portion of over-run specific birds were actively using the railway
moments before they faced the approaching train. Nevertheless, the flight characteristics of each species are also a determinant, and species that fly close to the
ground are exposed to a disproportionate collision risk even if they do not make
active use of the railway. These findings led us to conclude that changes in the
community of birds in the surroundings of the HSR are relevant and related to
structural landscape changes and the responses of bird species to the new infrastructure. In addition, bird mortality may have a significant impact on the populations of some species, given the fact that birds cross the collision risk area
frequently. The results may be contentious from an environmental impact perspective given the limited opportunities for mitigation (Rodríguez et al. 2008).
Firstly, changes in the avian community due to the presence of the HSR and the use
of HSR structures are probably difficult to avoid because birds use elements that are
fundamental to the infrastructure, thus, only minor design changes can be implemented to minimize HSR impacts on birds. Secondly, even if the installation of
some devices can reduce flight paths across the railway, their implementation will
be feasible only in short stretches of high ornithological interest due to cost limitations. Finally, reducing train speed in poder to reduce the risk of collisions with
birds would conflict with the core objective of a HSR, making such a strategy again
unlikely along long stretches of railway.
Acknowledgments Jorge Hernández Justribó, Mª José Pérez Sobola, Diego Sánchez Serrano,
and safety personnel from Centro de Estudios y Experimentación of the Ministry for Public Works
(CEDEX) and Ineco helped with fieldwork. Staff from CEDEX and Adif provided kind help with
project logistics. This study was carried out as part the LIFE+ Impacto 0 research project (LIFE 12
BIO/ES/000660) and a research agreement between UAM and CEDEX; both focused on the
mitigation of High Speed Railway impacts on bird populations. The Comunidad de Madrid,
together with the European Social Fund, supports the Terrestrial Ecology Group research group
through the REMEDINAL-3 Research Network (S-2013/MAE-2719).
References
Alonso, J. C., Palacín, C., & Martín, C. A. (Eds.). (2005). La avutarda común en la Península
Ibérica: población actual y método de censo. Madrid: SEO/BirdLife.
Benítez-López, A., Alkemade, R., & Verweij, P. A. (2010). The impacts of roads and other
infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: A meta-analysis. Biological Conservation,
143, 1307–1316.
Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D., & Hill, D. A. (2000). Bird census techniques (2nd ed.). London:
Academic Press.
Bishop, C. A., & Brogan, J. M. (2013). Estimates of avian mortality attributed to vehicle collisions
in Canada. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 8, 2.
Campos, J., & de Rus, G. (2009). Some stylized facts about high-speed rail: A review of HSR
experiences around the world. Transport Policy, 16, 19–28.
Carlton, R. G., & Harness, R. E. (2001). Automated systems for monitoring avian interactions with
utility structures and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigative measures. In: Power
Engineering Society winter meeting (Vol. 351, pp. 359–361). IEEE.
8 Cross-scale Changes in Bird Behavior Around …
131