Which measures are commonly used to reduce bird-related clutter near radar systems?

• A. Deterrents and filtering.
• B. Increasing transmitter power.
• C. Removing all filters from the display.
• D. Engaging audible alarms only.

Answer: (A)

Bird-related clutter happens when birds nearby reflect radar waves, creating many false targets that can hide real aircraft or weather signals. The effective way to cut this down combines two approaches: deterring birds from the area and filtering the radar data to suppress bird returns.

Deterrents physically reduce the number of birds around the radar site. This can involve habitat management, visual or acoustic deterrents, barriers, or other methods that make the area less attractive to birds. Fewer birds means fewer echoes to confuse the system.

Filtering uses signal processing to distinguish bird echoes from genuine targets and weather, then suppresses the unwanted returns. Techniques like moving target indication, Doppler filtering, velocity gates, and clutter maps help remove or downplay echoes that fit the typical motion and characteristics of birds, so true targets are easier to detect.

Increasing transmitter power would amplify all echoes, including clutter, making the problem worse. Removing all filters would flood the display with clutter and obscure targets. Audible alarms do not reduce radar clutter; they only alert humans and do not change the radar returns.