Contact: Robin Ann Smith
rsmith@nescent.org
919-668-4544
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)

Noisy Gas Well Site in Northern New Mexico

Caption: From 2005 to 2007, the researchers counted birds and nests in Rattlesnake Canyon Wildlife Area in northern New Mexico. The region is home to thousands of natural gas wells, many of which are coupled with noisy compressors that run day and night at 80 decibels -- as loud as a motorcycle less than 50 feet away.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Clinton Francis.

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Related news release: Bigger birds are harder hit by human noise