From platforms for nests to GPS trackers: DTEK Dnipro Grids began live tracking of stork migration
Energy workers are implementing the project jointly with ornithologists of the Danube Biosphere Reserve and the Professional Association of Environmentalists of the World (PAEW). Dnipropetrovsk region is one of the regions of Ukraine with the largest population of white storks.
“Trackers will transmit data about birds migration routes, stopping and wintering places. The information obtained will become a foundation for the systematic database about white stork migration in Ukraine,” – noted Oleksandr Haidash, senior staff scientist of the Danube Biosphere Reserve, ornithologist.
For DTEK Dnipro Grids, this stage became a continuation of many years of work on protection of white storks and adaptation of the grids to the birds’ needs.
“For many years, we have been taking care of safe coexistence of grids and white storks in the Dnipropetrovsk region by installing special platforms for their nests. Together with ornithologists, we have been studying migration routes through ringing. Today, we are taking the next step – thanks to GPS monitoring we will be able to track stork movements in real time, obtain valuable scientific data and use it for further development of the more environment-friendly energy infrastructure,” – noted DTEK Dnipro Grids CEO Andrii Tereshchuk.
The data obtained will help take into account natural bird routes during modernization and construction of the grids, identify potential risk areas and implement solutions that facilitate both preserving biodiversity and improving reliability of power supply.
“Storks are one of the species whose migration routes partially intersect the energy infrastructure. At the same time, Ukraine still lacks systematic data about their migration that can be used during planning and further development of the grids. Therefore, this project is important both for environmental protection and for sustainable development of the energy infrastructure,” – commented Liudmyla Tsyhanok, president of the Professional Association of Environmentalists of the World (PAEW).
DTEK Dnipro Grids has been implementing the #EnergyWings project for more than 13 years. During this time, energy workers have installed nearly 270 protective platforms for white stork nests on the poles in the Dnipropetrovsk region. They help the birds settle in the nests safely, while ensuring reliable operation of the grids.
The new stage of the project – GPS monitoring “Stork Track” – will allow to better understand white storks’ migration and use this knowledge during further development of the energy infrastructure.
The stork is one of the symbols of Ukraine, therefore, the initiative combines caring about nature and striving to preserve connection to the native land.