Effects of low level military training flights on wading bird colonies in Florida

During 1983 and 1984 the effect of low level military trainingflights on the establishment. size and reproductive success of wadingbird colonies was studied in Florida. Based on the indirect evidenceof colony distributions and turnover rates in relation to militaryareas (training routes designated to 500 feet or less above groundlevel and military operations areas). there was no demonstrated effectof military activity on wading bird colony establishment or size on astatewide basis. Colony distributions were random with respect tomilitary areas and turnover rates were within 2% when military andnon-military areas were compared. Colony distributions and turnoverrates, however. were related to the amount and type.Les tuer-tne orfreshwater) of wetland. respectively.During two breeding seasons the behavioral responses andreproductive success of selected species were monitored in anon-habituated treatment colony (military overflights) and a controlcolony (no overflights). Breeding wading birds responded to F-16overflights at 420 knots indicated airspeed. 82-84% maximum rpm. 500feet above ground level and sound levels ranging from 55-100 dBA byexhibiting no response. looking up or changing position (usually to analert posture): no productivity limiting responses were observed.High-nesting Great Egrets responded more than other species, nestlingGreat Egrets and Cattle Egrets responded significantly (r <.05) moreintensely than adults of their respective species, and adultsresponded less during incubation and late chick-rearing than at othertimes. In addition, no differences in adult attendance, aggressiveinteractions or chick feeding rates were observed to result from F-16 overflights. No evidence of habituation to overflights was noted.Humans entering the colony or airboats approaching the colony vicinityelicited the most severe responses (flushing and panic flights)observed at both sites.Since relatively little coastal military activity occurs at lowlevels ( ~500 ft) and only one Brown Pelican colony (5-6% of thebreeding population) was located in such an area, the reproductivesuccess of five, more lIexposedll study species (Great Egrets, SnowyEgrets, Tricolored Herons, Little Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets) nestingin interior freshwater colonies was studied. Reproductive activityincluding such factors as nest success, nestling survival, nestlingmortality, and nesting chronology was independent of F-16 overflightsbut related to ecological factors including colony location, colonycharacteristics and climatology. The responses to and effects of F-16overflights, as reported here, should not be considered representativeof military aircraft at lower altitudes or greater noise levels. (194 pages)

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Black, Barbara, Collopy, Michael W., Percival, H. Franklin, Tiller, Anita A., Bohall, Petra G.
Format:	monograph biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Florida 1984
Subjects:	Conservation, Biology, Policies, wading birds, aircraft,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/18860
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!