Rangefinder

In order to assess possible effects of structures projecting into the airspace on flying birds, it is important to determine their flight altitudes with sufficient certainty. The same applies to the localization of birds in the area and, if necessary, the documentation of evasive movements. Particularly in environments with few structures, which lack objects of known height and distance as reference points, information on flight evelations and positions of flying birds based on estimates by observers is difficult. In such cases, a rangefinder (rangefinder binoculars with laser beam system) is a valuable tool to optimize data quality. In some cases, the use of rangefinders in projects to determine the effects of wind energy on flying birds is required by the permitting authorities.
Only high-quality devices are suitable for the reliable recording of birds, since flying birds are comparatively small and, moreover, are moving objects that often have to be registered at relatively large distances for the aforementioned purpose.

IfAÖ uses a type of device whose use has become established in ornithological surveys in recent years. The used rangefinder is, among other things, equipped with a battery-operated laser system and offers a 7-fold magnification.
For the suitability of a rangefinder for the detection of birds, a suitable interaction of quality and characteristics of the internal components including the laser beam, inclinometer, optics, compass as well as the interpretation of the measurement parameters by the device itself is fundamentally required.