tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549058460484777829.post4929220337274890460..comments2023-05-24T10:53:22.550+01:00Comments on Glamorgan Rarities Committee: Heron ZappedMark Hipkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-549058460484777829.post-22941709603618636812013-08-04T12:46:38.884+01:002013-08-04T12:46:38.884+01:00Hi Martyn, It's an interesting observation. I ...Hi Martyn, It's an interesting observation. I had a look into it myself and found that it is unlikely that the wetness of the bird had anything to do with its unfortunate electrocution. Even in the pouring rain it is very unlikely for a bird brushing with or landing on a high-voltage cable at a mid-span point between the poles/towers to create a path for a fatal amount of current to flow through. This can't be done by touching one cable alone. A path can be made between two parallel cables if the bird is large enough to touch both at the same time, and the current flowing would likely be fatal to it?<br />It would appear to be quite common for large birds sitting on poles to make a path to ground by bridging the insulated part of the power line around the support and make contact with the exposed live wire. This is most common when birds take off and their outspread wings provide the path to ground via the supporting structure. <br />Is it possible the bird made contact with two parallel cables or perhaps a cable and the supporting structure?Mark Hipkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06210719279354534840noreply@blogger.com