Sound recordings taken in London and across the south-east of England by engineering consultancy firm 24 Acoustics revealed the remarkable change.
Their 'intelligent noise monitoring' systems are designed to record noise coming from construction sites, wind turbines, industrial activity and aircraft overhead.
However, bird song has become clearer in their ambient noise recordings over the last few weeks as road traffic and aircraft flyovers have decreased.
'The environmental benefits of the lockdown in terms of reduced air pollution and cleaner waters have already been documented,' 24 Acoustics' director, Reuben Peckham, told the MailOnline.
'However, it is impossible for most to also fail to notice how much quieter it is out there,' the director of the Southampton-based firm added.
'A reduction in traffic volume of 90 per cent would lead to a 10-decibel reduction in noise level, which is highly significant — roughly a perceived halving in subjective loudness.'
Noise reductions have been particularly noticeable at a site in Guildford that 24 Acoustics has been monitoring for the last three years, the firm said, where ambient noise levels have fallen by up to 8 decibels since the start of the COVID-19 crisis....<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...
