Large-scale mapping of nocturnal bird migration to accelerate a nature-inclusive energy transition

The energy transition intensifies spatial conflicts between energy infrastructure (EI) and migratory birds, fueling public resistance, litigation and permitting delays. These conflicts are often addressed only at the project level, after EI sites are chosen, leaving little room for proactive impact avoidance. We present a globally scalable method using existing weather radar infrastructure and open data to map nocturnal bird migration at high spatial resolution across large areas, demonstrating its application in the Netherlands. We find that around 50% of migration occurs at altitudes of EI. Contrary to assumed homogeneous distributions or discrete routes, our maps reveal that migration intensity varies over distances relevant for spatial planning. We demonstrate how such maps can inform selection of wind energy sites with considerable variation in migration and wind potential. Our method facilitates early-stage impact avoidance through strategic EI siting, targeted mitigation and faster permitting, offering a low-cost, scalable path toward a more nature-inclusive energy transition.