On a cool October night, a bundled-up researcher is working to gently extract a Northern Saw-whet Owl from a mistnet. Guided by the beam of a headlamp, the researcher plucks strands of netting from the grasp of the owl’s talons, then tugs a couple more strands up and over the wings, over the head and voila- the owl is free. In the background, the repetitive “toot-toot” of the owls’ song pierces the chilly air from a loudspeaker. The researcher pulls the owl close to their chest, the...| Connecting People, Birds and Land for a Healthy World
A cloud of slate gray stirring above the riverbed. The synchronous flapping of wings, eager and ready for the journey to the north. During this time of year, an estimated 3.5 billion birds take flight toward the northern U.S. and Canada as the spring migration is underway. During the long journey, they will have to contend with a pernicious source of pollution emanating from towns and cities: artificial light. Birds rely on light as an indicator of daily and seasonal change, and human light ...| Center for Large Landscape Conservation