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Light attraction in endangered procellariiform birds: Reduction by shielding upward radiation

January 1, 1985

Autumnal attraction to man-made lighting causes heavy mortality in fledgling Hawaiian seabirds: Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), Dark-rumped Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis), and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma castro). These threatened, endangered, and rare species (respectively) approach and circle lights on their first flight from mountain nesting colonies on the island of Kauai to the sea. We shielded lights of the largest resort to prevent upward radiation on alternate nights during two fledgling seasons. Shielding decreased attraction by nearly 40%. Most attraction occurred 1-4 h after sunset. Full moon dramatically decreased attraction, a phenomenon that has both theoretical and management implications.

Publication Year 1985
Title Light attraction in endangered procellariiform birds: Reduction by shielding upward radiation
DOI 10.2307/4086782
Authors J.R. Reed, J.L. Sincock, J.P. Hailman
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title The Auk
Index ID 5221998
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Patuxent Wildlife Research Center