Offshore Wind Projects

Avian Radar Study and NEXRAD Analysis, Long Island Offshore Wind Park, New York

GMI used two MARS® units to monitor avian activity and migration patterns in the study area. GMI biologists recorded avian observations during the fall and spring migrations. In addition to the onshore avian radar system, an offshore MARS® unit collected horizontal and vertical data to study the passage rates, flight directions, altitudes, and area distribution of birds within the proposed wind park.
 

Offshore and Onshore MARS® Avian Radar Surveys for Cape Wind Associates, Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts

GMI conducted onshore and offshore radar-based surveys of seasonal and daily bird movements and densities in the vicinity of the first proposed offshore wind turbine site in U.S. waters. Surveys were conducted in the spring and fall seasons during 2002, 2005, and 2006. Through the use of GMI’s MARS® advanced processing technologies, biologists identified bird targets from clutter in the avian radar data. GMI’s MARS® unit allowed 24-hour monitoring of bird activity over a 4-mile radius, including bird size, migratory path, and altitude. GMI analyzed radar data for day and night avian activity and for activity in clear and inclement weather. Altitude distributions of bird tracks and abundance counts for altitudes of interest provided data for an assessment of possible risk to migratory birds. GMI MARS® data were used by Cape Wind Associates to develop an EIS and evaluate the potential impact to avian activity at the proposed wind turbine site.