Photo by Tony Hisgett via Wikimedia Commons
• New York-based Friends of Animals is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a now-shuttered program to kill Snowy Owls at New York’s Kennedy International Airport. On Friday, a federal judge heard arguments from the animal rights group , which is seeking to change policies of avian removal at the nation’s sixth busiest airport, located adjacent a key habitat for aquatic birds and migratory species. Snowy Owls showed up from Washington, D.C. to Boston during this past (and frigid) winter. [New York Times]
• Also in the bird hazing department at major airports: A Dutch company is using 3-D printing to produce “raptor drones” that could be used to scare away birds and avoid bird strikes with commercial aircraft. [Motherboard]
• A mine tailings pond dam collapse in British Columbia spilled millions of cubic meters of effluent into local waterways. Preliminary water tests in the area met drinking water standards, and while B.C. Premier Christy Clark called the test results “promising,” she stipulated, “We are profoundly concerned about what happened.” Wigeons, pintails and grebes are all common species in the area. [Vancouver Sun]
• Rancor ensues over the new Minnesota Vikings stadium in Minneapolis, decried as a “death trap” for birds. [Mother Jones]
• Marine plastic pollution research isn’t limited to the oceans. Scientists off the coast of Lebanon are studying the effect of microplastics in the eastern Mediterranean. [The Daily Star-Lebanon]
• An abundance of prey in California’s Monterey Bay has been attracting seabirds as well as Humpback Whales. Officials are now warning the public to keep distance from this gentle giants. [CBS-SF Bay Area]
• A terrific citizen science/workplace procrastination opportunity: Help Audubon study the Puffins of Maine! [ABC News]
• BirdCam we’re watching right now: Long-eared Owl Cam, Missoula MT via Explore.org. And check out our White-faced Ibis on our BirdCam Project!