Bird News

The chairmain of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council claims that researchers are currently harming the outlook for endangered red knots on the Delaware Bay and suggests steps that need to be taken in addition to the moratorium on harvesting horseshoe crabs.

In South Florida, large wading species such as herons and ibises had a relatively unproductive breeding season due to exceptionally wet conditions. Because these birds are indicator species, this may signal a wider problem among animal species in the Everglades.

Several weeks ago, over 400 birds were estimated to have been killed by flying into the wires of a TV tower in Madison, Wisconsin. Most were warblers. The Department of Natural Resources is seeking to form a task force to study the issue and determine what, if anything, can be done to reduce the kills. Skyscraper kills have been reduced by shutting off or dimming lights that otherwise would be left burning all night. I wonder if TV and cellphone tower kills might be reduced by illuminating the wires.

Two turkeys were shot by police in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, for disrupting traffic. Residents appear not to be very happy about the incident.