Disturbance by car traffic as a threat to breeding birds in the Netherlands

Investigates the effect of disturbance by car traffic on the density of breeding birds in the Netherlands. The main objective was to obtain knowledge that can be used in spatial planning procedures related to main roads and in road management practice. The number of bird species which are affected, and the degree to which the breeding density is reduced in relation to the traffic load and to the distance to the road are discussed. The disturbance by car traffic is treated as a reduction of the habitat quality adjacent to the highway. A study of a colour-ringed population of willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) adjacent to a busy highway is discussed. Methods are developed to implement test results in planning and managing road systems.