![]() While there’s no quick fix for reducing urban debris, New Yorkers and visitors to our city can reduce the risks to birds and wildlife (and create a more livable environment for everyone) by being vigilant in discarding their trash. But the wily duck repeatedly eluded their attempts, and is still at large and at risk of injury or death should the yoke cause her to become trapped. Over the course of several days, rescuers and NYC Park Rangers braved bitter cold temperatures and frozen rocks in attempts to capture the duck to remove the plastic appendage. Materials that are especially harmful include plastic soda can holders (those connected plastic rings known as yokes used to hold together multi-packs of canned drinks), used face masks, wire and fishing lines (often found discarded around park lakes and waterways and which can entangle birds), and discarded fish hooks that can be ingested and prove deadly to birds and other urban wildlife.Ī recent example of the dangers of carelessly tossed trash involved a duck in a Central Park lake spotted with a plastic yoke around her neck. But for urban birds and other wildlife, these nuisances can be deadly. No one wants to see trash and debris littering our streets and parks. Fish and Wildlife Service.Ĭlean Up Our Act (and Our City) for Birds Check out some suggestions from the Wild Bird Fund and the U.S. In addition to turning off unnecessary indoor and outdoor lights and closing window shades, there are additional ways New Yorkers can do their part to help prevent bird collisions. “If you could save a life by switching off a light you don’t need, wouldn’t you do it?” “This year we plan to continue this campaign with legislation addressing private buildings,” Kathy continues. As a result, the lives of hundreds of thousands of birds will be saved as they navigate our night skies each year, just by the simple act of turning off unnecessary lighting in City buildings. In a true showing of the power of community collaboration, we were able to get these crucial bills passed unanimously. “Before I knew it, 26 organizations joined us – from avian societies to animal welfare organizations to environmental groups and scientific researchers. Lights Out Coalition founder and chair, Kathy Nizzari, says she started the Coalition to support efforts to get the legislation passed. The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, The Avian Welfare Coalition, NYC Audubon Society, Wild Bird Fund, and a host of other members of the Lights Out Coalition supported this important legislation. In December 2021, the New York City Council followed the lead of numerous communities across the country by passing Intros 271 and 274 – critical “Lights Out” legislation aimed at reducing light pollution and the threats created by non-essential lighting from buildings owned or leased by the City. Department of Agriculture estimates that 500 million to a billion birds perish each year in the U.S. Excessive outdoor lighting, especially in and around urban centers, can cause birds to become disoriented and collide with buildings and other glass structures in their path. Many species of birds rely on constellations to help them navigate their flight paths. Millions of birds are injured or killed each year as a result of collisions with tall buildings and glass structures during peak bird migration periods. While not an all-inclusive list, Denise identified four particularly hazardous conditions that urban birds must navigate in the big city, and solutions that New Yorkers can take to mitigate the risks. We recently spoke with Denise Kelly, founder and president of the Avian Welfare Coalition, about some of the most serious hazards facing the myriad species of birds who dwell in New York City or pass through our airways on their annual migratory journeys. And New York City is a microcosm of the global threat to avian populations. It’s not surprising that human behaviors cause many of the dangers that menace our avian friends. Across the globe, birds face many perils that threaten their survival. ![]()
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