Wind Energy
Airports
Field Work
Radar
Nexrad
Thermal Imaging

MARS® avian radar monitoring on the Texas coast during spring migration.

Radar 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.

Avian Monitoring Studies, NEXRAD Analysis, and Avian Risk Assessment, Paragon Wind Energy Project, New York

GMI conducted bird migration studies in spring 2005, fall 2005, and fall 2006 at various sites within the proposed wind resource area. GMI installed a MARS® unit at various hilltop locations to gather avian data. GMI later analyzed the data to determine avian use and flight patterns in the area.

Wildlife Hazard Assessment, Management Plan, and Training, Bush Field Airport, Georgia

GMI was contracted to conduct a wildlife hazard assessment, prepare a wildlife hazard management plan, and conduct wildlife hazard management training and monitoring for the Bush Field Airport in Augusta, Georgia. A MARS® unit was installed at the airport to monitor avian daytime and nighttime bird movements across approach and departure airspace and determine bird biomass densities. Wildlife surveys began in 2000 and 24-hour radar surveillance continues. In addition, GMI conducts regularly scheduled airport visits to ground truth the MARS®.

Real Time Avian Hazard Radar Monitoring, Royal Air Force, Kinloss

GMI was contracted to design and build a real-time avian and wildlife hazard radar monitoring system to mitigate goose-aircraft strikes. GMI provided the first-of-its-kind, custom-designed Goose Detection System (GDS). The GDS is a unique radar-based bird strike risk management tool for the air traffic controllers at RAF Kinloss. GMI conducts regularly scheduled airport visits to ground truth the GDS. The GDS provides 24-hour radar surveillance, and no goose-aircraft strikes have occurred since the GDS became operational in 2004.

Airfield, Landfill and Wind Farm Radar Surveys, Central Science Laboratory Bird Management Unit, United Kingdom

The Central Science Laboratory Bird Management Unit, the United Kingdom’s leader in BASH management, uses a GMI MARS® bird detection system to perform airfield, landfill, and wind farm radar surveys. The MARS® provides unique capabilities to monitor the effects of bird management activities, particularly at night. The MARS® can be towed by a Landcruiser or similar sport utility vehicle (SUV), and is rapidly operational once on site. A diesel generator provides primary power to the MARS® for unattended operations at remote locations. Bird detection data are automatically archived to removable hard drives to facilitate post-study analyses. The onboard shelter provides a climate-controlled environment for the operators, computers, and radar electronics.