Bearded Vulture killed by wind turbine in The Netherlands

A reintroduced Bearded Vulture has died in The Netherlands after it collided with a wind turbine.

'Roc', a young bird, was released as part of the LIFE GypConnect reintroduction project in southern France. It was found dead on 11 June having collided with a wind turbine in Zeewolde.

'Roc' was found dead beside a wind turbing near Zeewolde on 10 June (Hans Pohlmann/Vulture Conservation Foundation).

The death marks the second time a reintroduced Bearded Vulture has perished in The Netherlands following a collision with a wind turbine, after 'Angèle' was found dead on 26 May 2021. Furthermore, another bird – which had been deemed the first 'wild' Dutch individual – died after striking a train at the end of April this year.

This latest incident highlights the growing risks faced by bird species due to increasing wind farm developments, and is particularly concerning for the expanding population and exploration of new territories by Bearded Vultures.

After being hatched in Ostrava Zoo (Czech Republic) and released in the Grands Causses nearly a year ago, Roc spent the winter in the Alps. This spring, it embarked on a tour across France, even visiting the Paris area, before returning to the Alps. In late May, Roc started moving again, eventually reaching Bremerhaven in Germany, near the Wadden Sea. 

The bird, a male, then flew south, crossing the Dutch border on 9 June. After exploring the northern part of The Netherlands, Roc roosted in a tree near Lelystad that evening (9th). It is thought that the vulture collided with the wind turbine the following day.