Although we support Bird-Smart wind energy, we’re concerned that hundreds of thousands of protected birds die each year when they collide with poorly sited wind turbines and associated power lines. Our report names 10 of the worst wind facilities from a bird conservation standpoint—and illustrates the inadequate system currently in place to protect U.S. birds from poorly planned wind development.  Find out more.

The Piping Plover is listed as “Threatened” in the Atlantic Coast region under the Endangered Species Act. New York State’s own Endangered Species Act lists the species as “Endangered.” In spite of these designations, colonies of feral cats—a known threat to plovers—are being accommodated at New York’s Jones Beach State Park. We recently took legal action on the Piping Plover’s behalf.  About the lawsuit.

Much of the Appalachian forest is a thick, unbroken carpet of trees. To the untrained eye, it appears healthy and robust. In fact, these densely packed, even-aged trees harbor far less diversity than they could or should; it’s one of the reasons for the Golden-winged Warbler’s decline. What we’re doing about it with partners across the Appalachia.

American Bird Conservancy is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in theBald Eagle deaths on Maryland’s Eastern Shore last month. These funds will add to those already contributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and four other charities totaling $25,000. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has determined that the 13 eagles did not die of natural causes, including disease, and is now investigating human causes, such as possible poisoning, for the incident. More on ABC’s reward offer.

The Obama administration is making important strides toward creating a better balance between conservation and development on federal lands, which provide habitats for a vast array of birds and other wildlife. Without this balance, federal lands cannot provide healthy habitat for a vast array of birds and other wildlife. Read more >>

ABC is proud to be a supporter of a wonderful project to create a new Laysan ‪Albatross colony at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu, Hawaii. Last year, 10 chicks fledged from the site. Read about how this year’s cohort of 20 chicks is doing in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser “Ocean Watch” column by Susan Scott. Read more.

The Houston Chronicle reports that this weekend will be the 22nd annual Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Festival at the Attwater Prairie-Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. In 1900, this subspecies of the Greater Prairie-Chicken numbered almost 1 million, but by 1996, only 42 remained. What was once 9 million acres of prairie from Louisiana to Texas was slashed to the remaining 200,000 fragmented acres. “The chickens were on the endangered species list ever since the U.S. has had such a list in 1967,” says John Magera, assistant refuge manager. “This is probably the most imperiled bird of North America today, with only 126 left in the wild.” See the story.

The Guardian reports that the Federal Aviation Administration aims to stop millions of birds dying each year by changing static red lights, which attract birds, to flashing lights.  American Bird Conservancyand conservation and industry partners urged the FAA to conduct a study of tower lighting that led to this change. Get more details. 

New protections for forage fish off the West Coast will help species that help sustain the marine food web. ABC applauds a new federal rule published Monday that prohibits commercial harvest of eight types of forage fish that are a major food source for many seabirds and marine mammals. ABC and other conservation groups supported the rule, hailing it as a preemptive action to protect the marine food web. Read the story.

While farmers will still be allowed to use neonicotinoids, the popular pesticide will be banned from consumers in a bill passed by the state legislature—if Governor Hogan signs the bill. Conservationists are optimistic that his approval will come at any time. ABC points out that neonics also kill birds, as our research has shown. More information. 

A thud could be heard each time a birds, about the size of a cardinal, smashed into a window and fell to the pavement below. Events like this one in Ottawa helped to inspire action. Our thanks to Ottawa city hall officials who are taking steps to prevent birds hitting windows. See the story.

The Center for Conservation Biology reports that a critically endangered Crowned Eagle that was part of a satellite tracking program has been electrocuted in Argentina.  This and other documented electrocutions highlight a continuing need to ensure all power poles and transmission lines are made bird-safe. Read more.

The American Bald Eagle … Live at the National Arboretum: See the webcam.

·  OP-ED: The California Condor Returns: Last month, the most critical milestone yet was reached when it was announced that the birth of condors in the wild outnumbered the deaths of adult birds. See the good news.

·  Full Funding for Land and Water Conservation Fund in President’s Budget:Kris Sarri, the Department of Interior’s principal deputy assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, and Robert Bonnie, the Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for natural resources and environment, defended the proposal to fully fund the LWCF in a blog post on Interior’s website.

·  To Feel Healthier, Happier…Try Nature: Can nature enhance your health? There’s a strong case to be made that it can. The idea that getting outdoors—on national wildlife refuges, for example—can improve your state of mind and, with it, your physical well-being isn’t exactly new. But there’s a large and growing body of research behind it.

·  2012 Forest Service Planning Rule Citizen and Government Guides: The Federal Advisory Committee providing input on implementation of the 2012 National Forest Plan rule has release two useful guides. The first is for citizens who wish to participate in the planning process, and the second is a guide for state, local and tribal governments.

·  Florida Forest Service receives National Award for Prescribed Burns: The FloridaForest Service has received the Wildfire Mitigation Fire Service Leadership award for its record-breaking prescribed burning program. Read more.