Turbines, roads a danger to wildlife

NEW research shows that painting wind turbines purple could save birds’ lives.

Recently, an eagle was killed after being hit by a turbine blade, near Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, and with windfarms increasing in Ireland there is the likelihood of even more accidental deaths of threatened and rare bird species.

Most wind turbines are painted white or grey, but research carried out by doctorate students at Loughborough University in England found that these colours attract large amounts of insects which, in turn, lure birds to the blades of the turbine.