SGP/QCRAD/E21 - Bird poop contamination

Downwelling shortwave values were erratic during the day on 10/18 and in very poor 
agreement at times with downwelling shortwave values calculated from direct and diffuse 
measurements. Bi-weekly preventative maintenance records indicate bird poop was cleaned from the 
downwelling shortwave instrument on 10/29 at 16:30.  Review of maintenance records and 
instrument data indicate no bird contamination since 10/29.

Turkey vultures are the usual suspects in data quality problems at this facility. The RBD 
(rotating bird deterrent) had failed the week of 10/13 and was awaiting parts.  However, 
beginning in late October the birds had left the site.

Documented in instrument DQR D031020.4.

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• Quality check results on field: Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave
  Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)
• Down-welling unshaded pyranometer voltage(down_short_hemisp)

• Quality check results on field: Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave
  Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)

• Down-welling unshaded pyranometer voltage(down_short_hemisp)
• Quality check results on field: Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave
  Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)

• Quality check results on field: Best Estimate Global Downwelling Shortwave
  Hemispheric Irradiance(BestEstimate_down_short_hemisp)