Detection of Birds and Insects Using Polarimetric Radar Observation

It has been shown that polarimetric radar is a powerful tool to discriminate biological and meteorological scatterers. Furthermore, radar polarimetry provides unique possibility to distinguish between birds and insects. A classification algorithm that enables identification of different types of meteorological and nonmeteorlogical echo has been developed at NSSL using observations with the polarimetric prototype of the WSR-88D radar. Discrimination between insects and birds is part of this algorithm. Results of classification are illustrated by vivid examples of transition from insects to migratory birds during sunrise and sunset.