CLASSIC EXAMPLES OF NOCTURNAL MIGRATION LIFTOFF USING THE

DES MOINES, IOWA

WSR-88D:

IMPACTS ON CONSERVATION

by Karl Jungbluth

Iowa Audubon

and

National Weather Service, Des Moines, Iowa

 

BACKGROUND

Vast majority of central and northern Iowa is corn and soybean fields

Over 75% of land area is in these crops

Habitat for birds is limited :

Riparian corridors

Small number of marshes and wetlands

Reservoirs

Birds become concentrated, even in migration

WEATHER RADAR SHOWS THIS!

 

FALL MIGRATION LIFTOFF

14 October 1997

Clear skies

Winds from the west-northwest at 15-25 knots below 5,000 ft

Waterfowl and sparrow migration

 

SPRING MIGRATION LIFTOFF

10 May 1998

Clear Skies

Light wind from the southeast at 5 knots

Warbler migration (mainly)

 

SUMMARY

NWS’s operational radar clearly detects migrating birds

Liftoff time shows where the birds are concentrated

Riparian corridors

Quality wetlands- few and far between

Reservoirs

 

CONSERVATION IMPACTS

Weather radar shows- visually and vividly

Where the birds are in central Iowa

Education potential for important bird areas

  1. River corridors, wetlands, reservoirs
Adding more areas, or preserving what we have, CAN have a big impact

  1. Many wetlands in central Iowa are reconstructed
    1. Weather radar shows concentrated use

    Woodlands along "prairie" rivers attract birds

    1. Yet they are narrow and fragile, and under pressure for housing, recreation and even logging.

    Data shows that manmade reservoirs are attractive to birds

    1. Could this be because 90+ percent of pothole wetlands have been drained?

     

    CONSERVATION IMPACTS

    Wind power generation is a growing industry in Iowa.

    1. Radar data could be used to identify popular flyways
    2. Avoid locations where birds concentrate
    3. Luckily, windy areas tend to be over higher terrain between rivers.

     

     

    OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDY

    WSR-88D network could be used to inventory location of migration concentrations throughout the country

    Low levels within 60nm of radar site

    When concentrations are seen, studies could document which species are leaving and arriving.

     

    OPPORTUNITY FOR AWARENESS

     

    "Explosion" of birds on radar during migration

    Wide areas of the country under migration

    1. Compositing of radar images

    Sense of discovery

    1. See birds on radar, find the birds on the ground in their habitat

    Birds fly at night

     

    MIGRATION IS A PHENOMENA!!!