New York lights strongly affect migrant birds

19/11/2017

A new study has presented convincing evidence that night lights cause serious altered behaviour among night-migrating birds.

Scientists from the University of Oxford, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and New York City Audubon examined migrating bird behaviour over seven years at a special location, the ‘Tribute in Light’ in New York City. The tribute is held to commemorate the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

During the tribute, two strong beams of light, each with 44 xenon bulbs of 7,000 watts, pierce the night sky, replicating a light-image of the ‘twin towers’ of the World Trade Center, where nearly 3,000 lives were lost.

"We found that migrating birds gather in large numbers because they're attracted to the light," says Benjamin Van Doren of Oxford University, a lead author of the study. "They slow down, start circling, and call more frequently. They end up burning energy without making any progress and risk colliding with nearby buildings or being caught by predators."

The New York City study has been a rare opportunity to witness the impact of powerful ground-based lights on nocturnally migrating birds, according to co-lead author Kyle Horton, now with the Cornell Lab but working at the University of Oklahoma during the study. "This analysis would not have been possible without the help of tribute organisers."

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İstanbul's 3rd airport to cause widespread migrant bird deaths

May 10, 2014, Saturday/ 18:07:30/ GÜRHAN SAVGI/ ISTANBUL

İstanbul's third airport under construction in the northern part of the city will cause widespread deaths among migratory birds, as it will be located on part of a perilous route for birds seeking to reach Europe from Africa, officials from BirdLife International have warned. 

The $30 billion airport to the north of İstanbul is being constructed in a forest and wetland area. However, this region is used as a resting place by migrant birds travelling between Europe and Africa. The birds rest and feed there and then continue their journey. If the government doesn't abandon its insistence on constructing the airport, despite all the warnings from environmentalists who are concerned about the negative impacts the airport might have on the natural environment of this forested location, an important migratory route for billions of birds will be blocked. If this happens, İstanbul's third airport will be responsible for a massive number of migratory birds' deaths. 

A warning has been issued by Middle East and Eurasia representatives of BirdLife International -- the world's largest nature conservation network -- regarding the possible negative effects of the third airport on migratory birds. On examining the Bosporus Strait and the region where the third airport is being constructed, the representatives have come to a consensus that the airport will put large numbers of migrating birds at risk.

BirdLife International works in cooperation with civil society organizations in 180 countries around the world. It is highly respected in terms of nature protection through its influential activities in the world. It prepares the most reliable lists of endangered species in cooperation with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

The president of the nature conservation network, Hazell Thompson, told Sunday's Zaman that the birds, which know no limits, migrate between continents and serve as a source of balance in nature, adding: “They take the overbreeding of animals such as insects, caterpillars and mites under control. By scattering seeds and pollen around, they contribute to the production of plants such as cereals, vegetables and fruits, which are of great importance for people. We can say that when birds flap their wings less, people have less food and face various problems, such as disease. Anything that is good for birds is also good for people.” 

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Springwatch presenter Chris Packham attacks Malta's bird slaughter which has seen 'at least' 24 protected species killed

RHEA AGARD

Sunday 13 April 2014

Chris Packham, the nature programme presenter, has criticised television producers and bird charities for turning a blind eye to the mass slaughter of migrant birds in Malta.

The presenter of the popular BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes said it was "a sad reflection of our complacent and risk-adverse times" that his appeals to expose one of Europe's biggest legalised bird hunts had been ignored.

Around 10,500 armed hunters have just started their annual three-week shoot of thousands of migrant birds as they rest in the Maltese islands on their way back from Africa to breeding grounds in mainland Europe.

Mr Packham claims that "at least" 24 species of protected birds, including ospreys, kestrels and golden orioles, were killed in last year's hunt. This is despite guidelines stating that only two breeds, the turtle dove and quail, are allowed to be shot during hunting season.

Having failed to secure television backing, Mr Packham is self-funding a production team of three people and filming a series of video diaries from Malta that will be broadcast on YouTube later this month.

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Chaffinch once again the most common species during the Euro birdwatch

October 2013 - More than 200 million migrants leave their breeding grounds in Germany every autumn to spend the winter in southern Europe and Africa. Formations of cranes and dense flocks of starlings are easily seen, but there are also rare species such as East Siberian Yellow-browed Warbler.

Birdlife Germany (NABU) and the State Federation for the Protection of Birds (LBV) ran a nationwide birdwatch weekend over 5th and 6.

The records of 54 birdwatch events have been evaluated, which included nearly 41,000 birds of 125 different bird species. The chaffinch once again was the most seen bird, with more than 12,000 seen, including several thousand seen on Lake Constance.

Barnacle geese and cranes

Barnacle geese and cranes were also seen in large numbers: Some 7000 geese and 4500 cranes were seen. Some of the rarities that were counted included two red-necked phalarope (North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein) and a Rough-legged Buzzard.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/euro-birdwatch13.html

‘Angry birds’ spotted in gardens

Feisty winter visitors arriving in greater numbers than ever before

January 2013. Thousands of Blackcaps, migrant warblers from central Europe, are ruffling feathers in British and Irish gardens. Latest sightings gathered through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Garden Blackcap Survey are exploring the behaviour of these increasingly spotted ‘angry birds'.

This January, householders are helping the BTO to find out about real ‘angry birds' in gardens - Blackcaps. Incoming reports, submitted through the charity's Garden Blackcap Survey, show how this species is often a volatile guest, seeing off blue tits, Goldfinches and other similar-sized birds from garden feeding stations.

What birds will face down the blackcaps?
So far, the only birds to have weathered the frosty reception that is dished out by Blackcaps with much success have been Robins and House sparrows. Robins are known for their feistiness and so it is unsurprising that they are unwilling to give an inch without a fight. House Sparrows, on the other hand, flock together and are generally faithful to a local patch, and so are well placed to out-compete this new kid on the block.

Blackcaps (green) leave Britain in the autumn to winter around the Mediterranean, returning in spring (cream). A few birds (orange) pass through on migration. Some birds (yellow) now winter in Britain and Ireland - these are the ones we are looking to study through the Garden Blackcap Survey.

Large increase in blackcap numbers
Behind these fascinating observations is important science. Food provided in British and Irish gardens is thought to be altering the migratory habits of Blackcaps that breed in central Europe. Normally these birds would spend the winter around the Mediterranean but our garden offerings, coupled with our warming winter climate, are enabling an alternative migration route to our shores to grow in strength. Over the past few decades, numbers coming to feeders have increased by several hundred per cent.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/blackcap013.html