Large numbers of wind farms will not have a negative impact on bird life, according to scientist.
In response to conservationists concerns that turbines drove birds away from an area, researchers from Newcastle University carried out a study which showed the effects were not widespread.
Scientists studied the effect of two wind farms on 3,000 birds of 33 species, including five which were of conservation concern.
According to the survey, only pheasants were affected by large wind turbines, though the study did not consider damage to birds that fly into the spinning blades.
"This is the first evidence suggesting that the present and future location of large numbers of wind turbines on European farmland is unlikely to have detrimental effects on farmland birds," said Mark Whittingham whose team from Newcastle University carried out the research.
"This should be welcome news for nature conservationists, wind energy companies and policy makers."
E.ON has 20 offshore and onshore wind farms. One study has found that the offshore moorings as well as cable housings can act as a habitat for the growth of undersea creatures.
