Effectiveness of automated bird mitigation devices in reducing bird fatalities associated with wind turbines.
Duration: Two years, with second year of support dependent on progress in the first year.
Starting date: February 2026
Supervisor: Prof Graham Kerley,
Overview
The growth of wind-generated energy systems in the form of windfarms has led to concerns around bird mortalities associated with wind turbines. There is therefore an urgent need to assess the effectiveness of systems to reduce such impacts. Automated bird mitigation devices have been developed and installed on a trial basis Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s turbine. This provides the opportunity to test the effectiveness of such systems, in terms of the use by birds of the area around the turbines and observed mortalities of birds in relation to turbines with and without such mitigation devices. This project therefore encompasses behavioural and spatial analyses in an experimental framework, while addressing an important issue at the intersection between energy sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
The successful applicant will be able to use this opportunity to develop an MSc level study at Nelson Mandela University. This study will rely on the collection and analyses of bird space use and mortality data at the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Required skills: Candidates must have a good BSc and BSc(Hons) degree with:
Preferred skills/advantages:
Funding: A competitive bursary is available from Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, this channelled through Nelson Mandela University. Local applicants from previously disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please provide in a single pdf file a CV, including a full academic transcript, contact details of two referees, and personal statement and research motivation for why you wish to undertake this research, sending this to the following emails Graham Kerley (graham.kerley@mandela.ac.za), Naledi Shai (naledi.shai@globeleq.co.za) before 19th November 2025.
