Anglesey birds wearing solar-powered trackers to ensure safe tidal energy deployment 

Menter Môn-led researchers have fitted miniature solar-powered trackers on birds off Ynys Môn, Anglesey, to monitor their migration and behavior. This initiative, part of the marine characterization research project (MCRP), aims to ensure the safe deployment of tidal energy devices in the Morlais scheme.

Transmitters mounted on bird leg rings, powered by tiny solar panels, have been developed by the RSPB and approved by the British Trust for Ornithology. The devices are gathering data on the movements of Guillemots near Ynys Lawd (South Stack) on Anglesey, to help the Menter Môn Morlais team understand seabirds better, ensuring the renewable energy scheme protects local wildlife.

“This is an exciting development in our research, and we’re delighted that the leg rings have been successfully fitted to the Guillemots. We look forward to understanding more about these birds as the data is analysed and processed,” said Helen Roberts, Project Lead for MCRP with Menter Môn.

“Ensuring we protect marine wildlife has always been important to the delivery of the Morias tidal energy scheme. This is why Menter Môn set up MCRP, bringing experts together from different fields so that we have the latest information to draw upon when the time comes to deploy tidal devices in the sea.”

According to Menter Môn, the prototype leg rings transmit data via the Radio (LoRaWan) network, allowing data transmission whenever a bird comes within range. The solar panels enable the devices to provide data for several years.

“Much of our understanding of seabird movements is based on short-lived tracking devices fitted to the back of the bird. These usually become detached within a week, so a device was needed to help us monitor the birds over longer periods of time. The ring and solar cells and use of LoRa technology lets us do just this,” said RSPB Senior Technical Officer, Nigel Butcher.

“We’re certainly breaking new ground by miniaturising and fitting this technology into a leg ring. It has the scope to be used for the benefit of other species too, not just birds. It has the potential to help us answer big research questions and protect many critically endangered species.” 

The RSPB is already receiving data from the tagged guillemots, providing scientists with insights into birds’ life at sea. The long-term effectiveness of these devices will be evaluated when the birds return for the breeding season next year. The project is funded through the Crown Estate and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Menter Môn is a Welsh company focused on delivering regeneration, environmental, and cultural projects, collaborating with government, businesses, and communities to secure funding and promote sustainability. 

Morlais is Menter Môn’s tidal energy project, managing 35 square kilometers of seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Anglesey. The area was designated by the Crown Estate in 2014 as the West Anglesey demonstration zone to boost the tidal energy sector, with the potential to generate up to 240 MW of clean electricity. 

In May, Menter Mon-managed wildlife monitoring buoy, in charge of collecting marine wildlife information off the coast of Holyhead, was brought back to Holyhead Port for maintenance, after a year at sea.

This wildlife monitoring buoy was deployed in the sea off the coast of Holyhead on June 15, 2023, scoring a milestone for tidal energy in Wales, as the data gathered is anticipated to be used to make decisions on future turbine installations at the Morlais tidal energy site as well as similar projects worldwide.