DTBird^® has released the results of an independent study evaluating the detection capabilities of its latest bird monitoring models (F4, A4, F6, A6, and T). The assessment, conducted by the company, used a controlled field methodology to objectively measure maximum and effective detection distances for each model, providing wind farm operators and environmental managers with transparent, verifiable performance data.

The evaluation involved controlled flights with a 1.42-meter wingspan avian-mimic drone, which simulated a medium-sized bird of prey. Flights were performed under stable weather conditions, covering a wide range of distances, angles, and trajectories. The drone’s GPS positions were synchronized with high-definition camera recordings from the DTBird^® systems, allowing precise calculation of detection distances and probability curves.

The ground test provided empirical data to determine the detectability of the new DTBird models at a given distance, and the data were extrapolated for different species sizes.

See the graphic below, which shows detectability features for a bird with a 2 m wingspan for models DTBirdF4/A4 and DTBirdF6/A6. For DTBirdF4/A4, the maximum detection distance is about 400 m, with detectability over 90% between up to 240 m. In contrast, DTBirdF6/A6 has a maximum detection distance near 800 m, maintaining over 90% detectability from 100 to 400 m.

"For years, the wind energy sector has sought independent, field-verified data on bird detection technologies," said a DTBird^® spokesperson. "This study provides the transparency our clients need to make informed decisions, while reaffirming DTBird^®’s commitment to bird protection for both onshore and offshore wind projects."

Check the document below in English and Español!

Bilingual DTBird^® Detectability and Detection Distances Report.

Kincardine Offshore Wind Ltd. (KOWL) has received feedback from NatureScot and official notification from the Marine Directorate Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) that Condition 22ai regarding post-construction monitoring of bird strike for the Kincardine floating offshore wind farm has been successfully addressed using DTBird^® technology.

Project Summary

• Location: 15 km off the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland, in the North Sea.
• Turbines: 5 Vestas V164 (9.5 MW, installed 2021), each equipped with the DTBird^® V8N2 system to record avian activity and potential collisions, day and night. The first phase of the project included 1 Vestas V80 (2 MW installed in 2018), also equipped with DTBird^®.
• DTBird^®V8N2 (model 2021): 8 Daylight cameras covering 360º horizontal x 90º vertical and 2 thermal cameras. Precursor of the current DTBird^® Albatross.

What is Condition 22ai?

Condition 22ai requires post-consent monitoring of bird–turbine collision risk. Regulators demand empirical data —via video recording, radar, or AI— that confirm or refine the original environmental impact predictions.

NatureScot feedback:

“In conclusion, we agree with the statement in the report that “The DTBird system has fulfilled the project’s collision monitoring objectives in providing reliable and robust video data on avoidance, activity, and collision in the offshore environment and in the challenging context of moving, floating WTGs. The videos also show the behaviours of the birds as they approach and interact with the WTG, and these high collision risk or reaction-induced flight videos could form a valuable research resource in observing bird interactions with offshore wind turbines.”

Impact & Next Steps

This approval underscores KOWL’s and DTBird’s cooperation in this highly demanding marine setting with floating offshore wind turbines and proves the efficacy of DTBird to reduce the uncertainty about the potential collision risk of offshore wind farms and be a step forward for KOWL’s future offshore projects.

We thank KOWL for their trust and collaboration and look forward to supporting more projects committed to advancing coexistence between wind energy and wildlife.

Left: 2021 DTBird^® model installed at Kincardine, right: new Offshore Albatross (2025).