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Wild goose chase:: Geese flee high and far, and with aftereffects from New Year's fireworks

Wild goose chase:: Geese flee high and far, and with aftereffects from New Year's fireworks

Authors :
Kölzsch, Andrea
Lameris, Thomas K.
Müskens, Gerhard J. D. M.
Schreven, Kees H. T.
Buitendijk, Nelleke H.
Kruckenberg, Helmut
Moonen, Sander
Heinicke, Thomas
Cao, Lei
Madsen, Jesper
Wikelski, Martin
Nolet, Bart A.
Kölzsch, Andrea
Lameris, Thomas K.
Müskens, Gerhard J. D. M.
Schreven, Kees H. T.
Buitendijk, Nelleke H.
Kruckenberg, Helmut
Moonen, Sander
Heinicke, Thomas
Cao, Lei
Madsen, Jesper
Wikelski, Martin
Nolet, Bart A.
Source :
Conservation Letters (2023) [ISSN 1755-263X]
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

In the present Anthropocene, wild animals are globally affected by human activity. Consumer fireworks during New Year (NY) are widely distributed in W-Europe and cause strong disturbances that are known to incur stress responses in animals. We analyzed GPS tracks of 347 wild migratory geese of four species during eight NYs quantifying the effects of fireworks on individuals. We show that, in parallel with particulate matter increases, during the night of NY geese flew on average 5–16 km further and 40–150 m higher, and more often shifted to new roost sites than on previous nights. This was also true during the 2020–2021 fireworks ban, despite fireworks activity being reduced. Likely to compensate for extra flight costs, most geese moved less and increased their feeding activity in the following days. Our findings indicate negative effects of NY fireworks on wild birds beyond the previously demonstrated immediate response.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Conservation Letters (2023) [ISSN 1755-263X]
Notes :
DOI: 10.1111/conl.12927, Conservation Letters (2023) [ISSN 1755-263X], English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1367160297
Document Type :
Electronic Resource