The loud noise and chaos of fireworks often induce fear in many animals, causing them to flee from environments and people they would otherwise be familiar with, leading to unfortunate instances of getting lost.
For instance, fireworks on New Year's Eve impact birds up to 10 km away. An international research team, using weather radars and bird counts, discovered the extent of birds taking flight during fireworks.
Study Reveals Fireworks' Effect on Flight Reactions in Birds
The study, titled "Fireworks disturbance across bird communities" published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, highlights the strong reactions of water birds and emphasizes the need for substantial fireworks-free zones.
On New Year's Eve, areas near fireworks witness an average of 1,000 times more birds in the air, peaking at 10,000 to 100,000 times the usual number. The effects are most pronounced within the first 5 km, persisting up to 10 km with an average of at least 10 times the normal bird activity.
Last year, researchers at IBED found that geese spend about 10% more time searching for food after fireworks, needing this extra time to recover energy or compensate for the uncertainty of their foraging area post-fireworks.
Bart Hoekstra's study focused on which species take flight after fireworks and the timing of these events. Using weather radars from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute and bird distribution data from Sovon, he analyzed responses of various bird species.
The study clarified the reactions of birds outside water bodies to fireworks. Hoekstra utilized radar images and bird counts to determine the immediate take-off of nearly 400,000 birds in the study areas around Den Helder and Herwijnen during New Year's Eve fireworks.
Larger birds, including geese, ducks, and gulls, were observed flying at significant altitudes for hours after the fireworks, posing risks such as exposure to adverse weather conditions or potential accidents due to disorientation.
The acute flight response triggered by sudden noise and light affects millions of wintering birds in the Netherlands during fireworks, emphasizing the widespread impact on avian populations.
Fireworks-Free Zones Needed To Lessen Firework Impacts on Birds
While fireworks provide enjoyment with their explosive sounds and vivid displays, they can induce terror, overwhelm, and pose hazards for both wild and domestic animals.
Due to the significant bird population within a 2.5 km radius of inhabited regions, the impact of fireworks is substantial across the Netherlands, affecting 62% of the country's bird species.
Preserving energy during the cold winter months is crucial for birds, making disturbance minimization essential, particularly in open areas like grasslands where many larger birds winter. Firework effects are less pronounced near forests and semi-open habitats, housing smaller birds less likely to be disturbed.
The authors advocate for designated fireworks-free zones in regions with a substantial presence of larger birds, proposing buffer zones adjusted based on the distance sound and light travel, especially near forests. Additionally, they suggest centralizing firework displays in built-up areas, away from bird habitats, and exploring alternatives like soundless light displays for the well-being of avian species.
RELATED ARTICLE: 4th of July Fireworks Pets Safety: Here's How to Keep Dogs Calm During the Independence Day Celebrations
Check out more news and information on Birds in Science Times.
