I am a doctoral student in the Animal Ecology Group of the University of Turku. My research is focusing on the effects of wind turbines on different boreal dwelling bird species within Finland. The expansion of Wind Energy Facilities in Finland is rapidly increasing since 2012 reaching more than fifteen hundred turbines by 2023, which has raised concerns regarding the impact of WEF on the Finnish wildlife.
More specifically, in my research I will be looking at how the presence of wind turbines has affected birds’ behaviour, breeding success, spatial distribution and movement following a Before-After approach. I will be analysing count and tracking data collected for a number of vulnerable bird species, such as the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), which is endangered in Finland and the boreal owl (Strix nebulosa), which is also listed as Near Threaten within Finland. The main aim of my research is to provide insights about the sustainable development of renewable energy with respect to the surrounding wildlife.