Abstract
Research results on the impact of railway noise on birds show a variety of bird responses. These behaviours are often different from those exhibited by birds occupying habitats along tarred roads. Knowledge of this subject is still incomplete. We attempted to define the influence of a heavily transited railway line on bird communities at stopover sites near the tracks during the autumn migration period. Birds were counted using the point method at 45 observation points located at three distances (30 m, 280 m, 530 m) from the tracks. At each point we determined the habitat parameters and the intensity of noise. A total of 614 individuals from 29 species were recorded on the study plot. The results of our observations indicate that the railway line does not adversely affect woodland birds during the autumn migration. The results showed that the abundance of birds and the species richness were actually the highest near the railway line. Species foraging on invertebrates preferred the neighbourhood of the tracks. The number of the most common species did not differ widely in relation to distance from the tracks. These data may be helpful in planning and managing the environment in the context of bird conservation, protection from railway noise and collisions with trains.
Highlights
The world economy is based on the movement of raw materials, products and people, and railways play an important role in the global transport network
The results of our observations indicate that the railway line does not adversely affect woodland birds during their autumn migration
The results of other experiments carried out in the vicinity of heavily transited railway lines indicated that more birds were found on transects near railway tracks than on those situated further away [30]
Summary
The world economy is based on the movement of raw materials, products and people, and railways play an important role in the global transport network. Promoted by different countries for their economic and environmental advantages over other means of transport [1], railways are playing an increasing part in both developed and developing countries [2]. Along with expanding urbanization, railway networks are adversely affecting the natural environment [3]. Recent studies have shown that noise pollution in woodland habitats near roads and railway lines is an important problem [4,5]. Railway noise can affect birds in other ways, depending on the habitat. In the Netherlands, a significant reduction in bird
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
