Birds
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by George Wuerthner Introduction Livestock production is a contributing factor in the decline of many western species, including birds (Wuerthner and Matteson 2002). This is not surprising given the amount of land utilized for animal agriculture, including public and private lands. Approximately 578 million out of 1.9 billion acres in the West are grassland pasture…
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Research on scrub jays and anecdotal observations of other corvids shows a large reaction to a dead member of their species- A study just out on “funerals” held by scrub jays has generated a lot of discussion about what these noisy gatherings of jays around fallen members of their species represent or mean. It is…
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Wildlife Services has high average non-lethal record for all animals, but not for large carnivores- Lately there has been a lot of media critical of USDA-Wildlife Services; often called by its critics something like “the federal government’s wildlife killers.” In an effort to mount a defense the Service has pointed out that 80% of its…
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The American Bird Conservancy notes in a press release that a million birds may be dying each year after becoming trapped inside PVC pipes used to mark mining claims throughout the country, but mainly in the west. Small birds apparently see the opening of PVC pipes used to mark mining claims as a hollow suitable…
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Over my years of traipsing around public lands in the West I have come across hundreds of uncapped 3-foot tall PVC pipes sticking out of the ground. For a long time I didn’t know the purpose of the pipes but later came to understand that they were used as markers for mining claims. I’ve peered…
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Pattern Energy Group will not build 2000 acre wind farm near Sacramento- Plans for a 2000 acre (3 1/2 square mile) wind farm NW of Sacramento have been scrapped because of its probable bad effects on the local bird population. The wind farm, which would capture enough energy for 100 megawatts of electricity had not…
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This has to be one of the most egregious incidents of wildlife destruction I’ve heard of in recent times. A farmer has admitted to destroying an entire colony of pelican nests. 2,400 eggs and chicks were destroyed by a farmer who complained that the colony was destroying his crops. Pelicans are protected under the Migratory…
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Trevor Butterworth takes a look at the double-standard for wildlife protections Wind Developers are allowed to play by as compared to other energy industries. Regulations to prevent huge impacts to birds and wildlife are “voluntary” and often written by the Wind Industry itself. Op-Ed: A mighty wind – Trevor Butterworth – The Daily Imagine the U.S.…