RESOLUTION ON BIRD
MORTALITY AT COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS
WHEREAS, nationally
communications towers over 200 feet high are lighted and have a
well documented history of killing migratory birds, and
WHEREAS, the number
of such communications towers in New York State has doubled in the
last seven years, and is expected to double again in the next five
years, and
WHEREAS, there
are only two long-term studies in New York State and these have
been conducted at towers over 500 feet, and no studies have been
reported at towers in the 200-500 foot height range, and
WHEREAS, towers
in the 200-500 foot height range are proliferating at the greatest
rate, and
WHEREAS, many of
these new towers are being constructed on hilltops to broaden their
range, and this may increase their impact on migratory birds, and
WHEREAS, surveys
are needed to document bird mortality at communications towers,
therefore be it
RESOLVED that the
Federation of New York State Bird Clubs endorses efforts to monitor
tower mortality in New York State, and be it further
RESOLVED that the
Federation of New York State Bird Clubs encourages communications
companies across the state to cooperate with such studies and allow
members of bird clubs to periodically search the grounds of communications
towers for bird kills, and be it further
RESOLVED that the
Federation of New York State Bird Clubs encourages the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Fish and
Wildlife Service to address this issue.
References:
Avery, M. L., P. F. Springer,and
N.S. Dailey. 1980. Avian mortality at man-made structures: an annotated
bibliography (revised). US Fish Wildl. Serv.
FWS/OBS-80/54, 152 pp.
Cochran, William W.and Richard R.
Graber. 1958. Attraction of nocturnal migrants by lights on a television
tower. Wilson Bulletin, 70:378-380.
Federal Aviation Administration
Digital Obstacle File. National Ocean Service, Riverdale, MD.
https://www.towerkill.com
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