CLASSIC EXAMPLES OF NOCTURNAL MIGRATION LIFTOFF USING THE
DES MOINES, IOWA
WSR-88D:
IMPACTS ON CONSERVATION
by
Karl JungbluthIowa 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
Woodlands along "prairie" rivers attract birds
Data shows that manmade reservoirs are attractive to birds
CONSERVATION IMPACTS
Wind power generation is a growing industry in Iowa.
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
Sense of discovery
Birds fly at night
MIGRATION IS A PHENOMENA!!!