Influence of Military Activities on Raptor Abundance and Behavior

• Published in: The Condor
• Main Authors: Schueck, Linda S., Marzluff, John M., Steenhof, Karen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2001
• Subjects: Circus cyaneus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/103.3.606; http://academic.oup.com/condor/article-pdf/103/3/606/29712314/condor0606.pdf

Abstract We investigated the influence of military training on the abundance and behavior of raptors at a military training area in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in Idaho during the breeding seasons of 1991–1994. Raptor counts on military training ranges did not differ when we compared all training days to all non-training days. However, during one period of intensive military training in one breeding season, raptor counts were lower during training than on non-training days. During training, Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) did not alter their behavior on training days. In years when prey numbers were low, falcons, hawks, and eagles perched and flew at low levels less often and flew at higher altitudes more often during training than they did when training did not occur. We observed fewer prey capture attempts on ranges on days with training than on days without training. Specific types of military training activity affected counts of raptors on ranges. The lowest raptor counts were associated with firing of artillery, small arms, and main turret guns or machine guns on tanks. Raptor counts associated with tank preparation (i.e., assembling and loading ammunition), driving, laser training, and convoy traffic were similar to non-training periods. La Influencia de Actividades Militares en la Abundancia y el Comportamiento de Aves de Rapiña Resumen. Durante las épocas reproductivas de 1991 a 1994, investigamos la influencia del entrenamiento militar en la abundancia y el comportamiento de aves de rapiña en un área de entrenamiento en el área nacional de la conservación de aves de presa del Snake River, Idaho. Los conteos de aves de rapiña en áreas militares no difirieron entre días de entrenamiento y días sin entrenamiento. Sin embargo, en una época reproductiva los conteos de rapaces fueron menores en días de entrenamiento que en días sin entrenamiento. Circus cyaneus no alteró su comportamiento en días de entrenamiento. Durante el entrenamiento en años cuando los números de presas ...