Assessment of Training Noise Impacts on the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker: 1999 Results

Abstract

It is estimated that nearly a quarter of the remaining Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) population resides on military installations in the southeastern United States. Such a close association has raised questions about the interaction between training and the conservation of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on military land. Increased importance has been placed on determining how noise affects these species. This report presents second year results of a multiyear study to determine the effects of certain kinds of training noise on the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Preliminary data suggest that: measured levels of experimental noise from .50-caliber blank fire and artillery simulators did not affect RCW nesting success or productivity; Red-cockaded Woodpecker flush frequency increased as stimulus distance decreased, regardless of stimulus type; woodpeckers returned to their nests relatively quickly after being flushed; and noise levels in Red-cockaded Woodpecker nest cavities were substantially louder than levels recorded at the base of the nest tree.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA379281

Entities

People

  • David K. Delaney
  • Larry L. Pater
  • Linton Swindell
  • Tim Beaty
  • Timothy J. Hayden

Organizations

  • Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Cells
  • Habitats
  • Medical Personnel
  • Poultry
  • Wildlife

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.