About This Project

Anthropogenic (human-produced) noise negatively impacts many songbirds, but its effect on Kirtland’s warblers is unknown. Current regulation requires ¼ mile between noise sources and Kirtland’s habitat, but impacts on birds are often observed at twice this distance. To facilitate data-driven regulation, I will assess noise levels at increasing distances near noise-producing sources (roads, gas wells), map noise across the landscape and compare noise with Kirtland's warbler abundance.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Kirtland's warblers are an endangered species that breed primarily in Northern Michigan. Habitat management has successfully increased population numbers to over 2000 breeding males. However, with over 418 operational gas wells, 7 ORV trails and multiple roads near or within Kirtland's warbler habitat, noise is also an issue. With the growth of resource extraction in the region, noise will continue to increase. Current development that will produce noise must be placed 1/4 mile from habitats set aside for Kirtland's warblers. However, negative impacts on birds have been observed at much greater distances. For this reason, the lead researcher is collaborating with members of the USFWS, USFS, and MDNR to provide data-driven information on how noise affects Kirtland's warblers.

What is the significance of this project?

The Kirtland's warbler is a conservation reliant species, but management successes may result in de-listing it as an endangered species sometime in the future. This will likely result in an increased number of permit requests for noise-producing activities near Kirtland's warbler habitats. If these birds are negatively impacted beyond the 1/4 mile buffer, much like other bird species, the current lack of data might lead to a scenario where regions of otherwise suitable habitat cannot be utilized by Kirtland's warblers. Because the young Jack Pine forests required for nesting are rare in the region and human development is rarely reversed once it is initiated, noise could limit warbler utilization across much of their habitat.

What are the goals of the project?

The current work focuses on how noise affects bird abundance and location. By mapping noise and bird abundance simultaneously we can determine whether individuals avoid noisy areas completely or use them at lower rates than in quiet locations. By building a noise map that incorporates noise information on the distance noise travels from specific sources (roads and compressor stations) we can apply our map to regions beyond those that will be sampled directly. The goal is to sample 10 roads and compressor stations found in the lower peninsula of Michigan during the summer of 2016, but these results can be extended to assess the effects of noise on populations in the Upper Peninsula as well as in Wisconscin and Canada. Future work will compare reproductive success in quiet and noisy sites.