MEASUREMENT OF NOISE EXPOSURE ON OSPREY NESTING SITES FROM LOW-FLYING MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN LABRADOR

摘要

As part of a continuing program of effects mitigation mandated by the Environmental Assessment Review of the Low-Level Flying Training Range (LLFTR) at CFB Goose Bay, Labrador, a study of the reaction to noise by nesting osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was contracted by the Goose Bay Project Management Office (DND) in the summer of 1995. During that summer, the Naskaupi River valley in the vicinity of six osprey nests was closed to all regular low-flying activity, and the osprey nest sites in that area were exposed to noise from low-flying aircraft only at specific times. The results of this work are now being published, and indicate that there was no impact on the osprey's nesting habits that could be related to the effects of the low-level military aircraft operations they experienced.The second phase of the study was conducted during the summer of 1996. The 1996 program allowed full military flying activity in the Naskaupi River area, without restriction as to distance from the nests or flying altitude. Noise monitors were located at the blind site at each nest to record the noise environment created by the aircraft, and periodic observations of the osprey were conducted. A report of the 1996 observations is being prepared, This paper addresses the 1996 season noise monitoring results and implied aircraft noise environment.