April 3rd, 2023
T&D World Report
T&D recently pushed a report on the LineFly robotic installation of our Hawk EyeTM Bird Flight Diverters on Ameren distribution and transmission lines at the Bagnall Dam. Our Hawk Eye Bird Flight Diverters were chosen as the most effective method for preventing avian collisions with Ameren power lines in the Lakes of the Ozarks. The ecoregion encompassing the Osage River, Bagnell Dam, and Lake of the Ozarks area are some favored hunting grounds for eagle and many other birds, and to prevent bird strikes with the power lines in the area, Power Line Sentry Bird Flight Diverters were installed using the LineFly robot and drone. To read the report on T&D World, click here.
Highlights on the effectiveness of our Bird Flight Diverters:
“Because the birds’ risk of collision increases in low light, reflective and glow-in-the-dark materials were vital,” Rakers said. “We used Hawk Eye Bird Flight Diverters that glow-in-the-dark, are reflective, and have 360-degree visibility. These high-visibility line markers prevent high speed collisions by providing time and distance for the bird to divert from that power line.”
This contrast can be achieved through surface area, texture, brightness, reflection and glow, he adds.
“As these birds are utilizing the river, they are not paying attention to their path of travel,” Rakers said. “They have feeding on their minds at that point in time, and these catch their eye.”
- Line markers: 300 Power Line Sentry Hawk EyeTM Bird Flight Diverters, rated for systems up to 345
- Utility: Ameren Energy
- Location: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – over the Osage River and around the Bagnall Dam
- Installation: October 2022
- Installation method: LineFly Robot, positioned onto the conductor using a drone, service provided by FulcrumAir
