A group of researchers have filmed nocturnal bats mistaking wind turbines for trees, leading to fatal consequences for the night flyers.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the video seeks to understand why bats approach wind turbines and to find a solution that can turn the mammals away from the huge machines.

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Paul Cryan of the USGS said many of these mammals are found dead beneath wind turbines, alarming farmers helped by bats that kill pests and insects.

Researchers said they used thermal cameras to monitor the bats. They set up three cameras in three different wind turbines in Indiana.

They also used infrared security cameras, radar and machines that can record the ultrasonic calls of bats. As a result of these technologies, researchers detected over 900 bats during the several months the researchers did the study.

These videos help them understand why the mammals fly towards wind turbines. From the videos, researchers saw bats approach the turbines numerous times and most didn't evade the machines. Some bats even flew very close to the spinning blades.

Researchers found out that that most of the bats approached the wind turbines when the wind was blowing from the downwind side, illustrating the fact bats follow air currents. The air currents generated by wind turbines are similar to that coming from trees.

Also, more bats approached the machines whenever the moon was shining brightly. Researchers said this attitude meant that bats want to closely investigate tall things they perceive as trees.

Researchers concluded bats fly along airflow paths when facing tree-like structures. Bats also use visual cues at night, making it difficult for them to distinguish trees from machinery.

Researchers also found out incidents in which bats try to move closer to the turbines occur less often when nights are darker.

It was suggested by the Bat Conservation International that bat fatalities could be diminished by increasing the wind speed generated by the wind turbines. This move should deter bats wanting to examine the blades more closely.

Tagsbats, Wind Turbines, trees, Night Vision, Fatality