ALERT: Help Stop the Deaths of Millions of Migratory Birds at Communications Towers

[Guest guest]

ALERT: Help Stop the

Deaths of Millions of Migratory Birds at Communications Towers

Every

year, as many as 50 million birds die after colliding with tall towers that

relay signals for our TVs, radios, and cell phone networks. These deaths, that

include many species of declining songbirds such as the Black-throated Blue

Warbler and Dickcissel, are needless and preventable. We now have our first

opportunity to take action.

Ask the FCC to change the lighting scheme on towers to reduce bird

kills.

There

are more than 90,000 lighted communication towers across the country. Most of

these use steady burning or slow pulsing lights to warn aircraft of their

presence. These lights attract birds, particularly during bad weather during

peak nighttime migration periods. The birds become disorientated by the lights

and crash into the towers, their guy wires, and each other, or plummet to the

ground in exhaustion.

Strobe

lights are just as visible to aircraft, and science has repeatedly shown they

are far less attractive to birds. By mandating the use of these strobe lights

instead of slow pulsing or steady-burning lights, we can prevent these deaths.

Now

the FCC, the agency that licenses towers, is considering a rule that will

mandate strobes on all towers. They are seeking public comment on this

proposal. This is your opportunity to let them know how important it is that

they approve it.

Click Here to send in your comment today.

Deadline for comments is Monday, April

23!

A

copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is available from the FCC here.

_________________

American

Bird Conservancy (www.abcbirds.org) is a 501©3

not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to conserve native wild birds and

their habitats throughout the Americas. For more information please call

540/253-5780.

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Steve Holmer of Public Relations

American Bird Conservancy

202/234-7181 ext. 216 or

202/744-6459 (cell)

sholmer

 

www.abcbirds.org