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Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is proud to announce a conservation initiative aimed at safeguarding the endangered Black Harrier raptor, one of Southern Africa’s scarcest endemic birds of prey.
With a global population of about 1 000 mature breeding birds, the Black Harrier has faced a decline in recent years. The wind farm, in collaboration with well-known ornithologists and conservation partners, is committed to reversing this trajectory and ensuring the survival of this magnificent species, for which it has recently received an industry accolade.
Over the past two years, Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm has pioneered avifauna mitigation measures by fitting tracking devices to Black Harriers, allowing researchers to gain valuable insights into their movements and habits. Four Black Harriers have been fitted with trackers, with two installed by ornithologist, Dr Rob Simmons, in the previous year, and an additional pair by Dr Megan Murgatroyd this year. These trackers enable the wind farm to identify the key areas frequented by the raptors, allowing for precise mitigation and offset efforts to protect them.
The wind farm also undertakes nest inspections during the breeding season to oversee breeding outcomes, protect nests from human disruption, and minimise fatalities. This approach aligns with the overarching goal of achieving positive population growth for the species.
Marli Schoeman, ESG and Biodiversity manager at Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, emphasised the importance of collaborating with specialists.
Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s transparent approach and regular engagement with specialists and BirdLife South Africa, through Samantha Ralston-Paton, has garnered support for their extensive conservation and mitigation measures. This collaborative spirit has also allowed academic researchers like Robin Colyn to build predictive models, including collision-risk modelling and flight-path modelling, which can be applied to new wind farms, benefiting bird conservation efforts across the country.
Despite the urgency of these conservation efforts, the wind farm remains the sole Independent Power Producer in South Africa that has funded the fitting of tracking devices on Black Harriers, demonstrating a commitment to the species’ preservation.
