Smallwood, K.S. (2013)
“Comparing bird and bat fatality-rate estimates among North American wind-energy projects.”
Biological Conservation, Vol. 157, pp. 229–234.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2012.09.017
Estimated over 234,000 bird deaths annually in the U.S. from wind turbines.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2020)
Wind Turbines and Birds Fact Sheet
https://www.fws.gov
Wind turbines are estimated to kill between 140,000 and 500,000 birds per year in the U.S.
Arnett, E.B. et al. (2013)
“Impacts of wind energy development on bats: a global perspective.”
In: Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World. Springer.
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25220-9_11
Estimated 600,000 to 888,000 bat fatalities per year due to wind turbines in the U.S.
Cryan, P.M. & Barclay, R.M.R. (2009)
“Causes of bat fatalities at wind turbines: hypotheses and predictions.”
Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 90(6), pp. 1330–1340.
DOI: 10.1644/08-MAMM-S-002R1.1
Tree-roosting migratory bats (like Hoary and Eastern Red Bats) are most at risk.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (2022)
“Preserving Ontario’s Agricultural Land.”
https://ofa.on.ca
OFA opposes industrial developments that reduce arable land. Class 1 and 2 soils are a non-renewable resource critical to food security.
Canada Land Inventory (CLI)
Agricultural Capability Classification
https://sis.agr.gc.ca
Defines Class 1–3 soils as prime agricultural land. Much of Oxford and Elgin Counties fall under this category
Nissenbaum, M.A. et al. (2012)
“Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health.”
Noise & Health, Vol. 14(60), pp. 237–243.
DOI: 10.4103/1463-1741.102961
Found statistically significant associations between turbine noise exposure and health issues including sleep disturbance, anxiety, and headaches.
Hanning, C.D. & Evans, A. (2012)
“Wind turbine noise and health: A review of the evidence.”
Environmental Disease, 1(1), pp. 1–10.
Summarizes known risks to rural residents exposed to low-frequency noise.
Bird Studies Canada & Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Bird migration maps and at-risk species data
https://www.birdscanada.org
Southwestern Ontario is a key route for migratory species like Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, Bobolinks, and Eastern Meadowlarks.
Ontario Nature (2021)
“Species at Risk in Ontario List.”
https://ontarionature.org
Confirms presence and threatened status of multiple bird and bat species impacted by wind development.
