In the garden, the start of the growing season means the return of dirt under our fingernails, the scent of freshly spread mulch and the first blooming roses. In my neighborhood, and perhaps yours, it also means an audible onslaught of , and other tools of the landscaper鈥檚 trade.
From 8 a.m. through at least early afternoon 鈥� five or six days every week 鈥� the hum of power tools and other machines disrupts my peace. But even more concerning is that my peace pales in importance to that of my property鈥檚 other residents.
Birds, squirrels, rabbits, frogs, and other wildlife are . They鈥檙e outdoors right in the middle of what must seem to them a war zone 鈥� with no escape. And the battleground noises that surround them aren鈥檛 merely nuisances; they disrupt the basic instincts the animals鈥� lives depend on.
Instincts such as those that alert them to the presence of predators become masked under the gas-powered cacophony prevalent throughout most of suburbia.
The unnatural sounds can also force , and insects into changing their feeding, nesting and mating habits, says Kevin Munroe, Long Island Preserve Director for The Nature Conservancy, based in Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
鈥淨uite a few animals communicate primarily through song, and their songs are how they find each other,鈥� Munroe said. Those with soft and quiet songs, like warblers, small species of owls, bats and some species of crickets, for instance, can be so badly drowned out by noise pollution that 鈥渢hey literally cannot build families or reproduce,鈥� he said.
To illustrate the point, Munroe likens the animals鈥� songs to navigation systems.
鈥淚magine these songs are the birds鈥� roadmaps to each other, and imagine you鈥檙e using your GPS to get somewhere and all of a sudden it turns off, and that鈥檚 the only way you can find your family. Now, with it turned off, there鈥檚 no way you鈥檒l find your family. That鈥檚 what song is like for these animals,鈥� he said.
Artificial noises from power equipment, traffic, construction and industrial sources, can also cause stress and hearing loss in animals. A even found that highway noises can elevate heart rates in .
Thoughtful planning can reduce the noise
This may seem like a losing battle in modern society, but there are steps we can take to help.
The Nature Conservancy recommends changes to industrial practices that include accounting for sensitive areas when siting noise-producing facilities, such as access roads and compressor stations, and designing them to include sound barriers such as walls, vegetative screening and noise-absorbing equipment.
Altering the timing and duration of noisy activities during breeding and hibernation periods could also reduce adverse effects on wildlife, the organization said.
What you can do at home
On our own properties, small changes can make a big impact. Because birds do their 鈥渕ost important talking to each other鈥� between dawn and 9 a.m., Munroe recommends later. Another critical time for many species of wildlife is after dark, he said.
鈥淵ou can play music and have fun, but try not to make any loud noises,鈥� he said.
In addition, creating sound buffers by planting dense native trees, evergreens or deciduous shrubs, and switching , including leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws, are simple things homeowners can do to avoid causing harm.
Educating and introducing change to local communities is important, too. Munroe suggests working with your homeowners association, schools, businesses and churches to limit loud, destructive activity on their properties.
鈥淭alk to local municipalities about their noise ordinances and (encourage them to) create a sound sanctuary in the neighborhood (to protect) wood thrushes, katydids鈥� and other wildlife, he said.
And always observe noise ordinances at home and in public places, like parks.
Wild animals serve as 鈥減ollinators, affect pest control and have a positive effect on our agriculture and our economy,鈥� Munroe said. 鈥淲e want them in our neighborhoods.鈥�
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Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up for weekly gardening tips and advice.
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Jessica Damiano, The Associated Press
