Ripley Wind Power Project Post-construction Monitoring Report 

In 2008, Jacques Whitford Limited was retained by Suncor Energy Products Inc. and Acciona Wind Energy Canada to undertake a bird and bat post-construction monitoring program for the Ripley Wind Power Project (the Project) near the Town of Ripley in Bruce County, Ontario. The Project began commercial operation on January 21, 2008. …

In 2008, mortality surveys were conducted in April and May (spring monitoring), and July through mid- October (fall monitoring). Avian monitoring was undertaken in June (for breeding bird surveys) and September through mid-November (for fall diurnal migration surveys). Surveys were carried out by qualified Jacques Whitford personnel, trained in the methods and protocols of the Program.

The mortality survey component of the Program incorporated three survey types; carcass surveys, searcher efficiency trials, and scavenger impact trials. Searcher efficiency trials were carried out each day of the carcass searches, and scavenger impact trials were carried out once monthly over two-week periods: in April, and in July through October. …

Mortality surveys were conducted from April 14 through May 30 (spring), and again from July 2 through October 17 (fall) of the same year. Mortality surveys were conducted when weather permitted. During inclement weather (i.e., heavy rainfall), surveys were delayed until later on the same day, or resumed on the next or the earliest feasible day. All mortality surveys were conducted by two biologists during each visit. …

Birds

Spring monitoring was undertaken April 14 to May 31, 2008, for a total of seven weeks. A total of six avian carcasses were located by searchers, with a corrected total estimate of 9.42 for the spring season; 0.25 per turbine for spring; and 0.12 per MW for spring. …

Fall monitoring encompassed the months of July through mid-October, for a total of 16 weeks. A total of 25 avian carcasses were located by searchers, with a corrected estimated total of 105.04 for the fall season; 2.76 birds per turbine for fall; and 1.38 per MW for fall. …

Bats

Spring monitoring encompassed the latter half of the month of April and the month of May, for a total of seven weeks. Four bat carcasses were located by searchers during spring monitoring, with a corrected estimate of 6.28 in total for the season; 0.17 bats per turbine for spring; and 0.08 bats per MW for spring. …

Fall monitoring encompassed the months of July through mid-October, for a total of 16 weeks. A total of 116 bat carcasses were located by searchers, with a corrected estimated total for the season of 487.37 bat mortalities, with 12.83 bats per turbine for fall; and 6.41 bats per MW for fall. …

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