Photo: Mary & Pat

White-throated Sparrow (Bldg. 12B).

Birds 'heard tornadoes coming' and fled one day ahead

"U.S. scientists say tracking data shows that five golden-winged warblers "evacuated" their nesting site one day before the April 2014 tornado outbreak."

"Geolocators showed the birds left the Appalachians and flew 700km (400 miles) south to the Gulf of Mexico."

"The next day, devastating storms swept across the south and central U.S."

"They escaped just south of the tornadoes' path - and then went straight home again. By 2 May, all five were back in their nesting area."

Read full article here:  http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30531060

Vikings, 3M to test bird-safe film for new stadium this spring

"A Twin Cities-based manufacturing and innovation giant is working with the Minnesota Vikings on an effort to save migratory birds from colliding with 200,000 square feet of glass on the new stadium rising in Downtown East.

Minnesota Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley said Wednesday that3M has a potentially bird-saving film that could be used on the glass. “It’s a test, and we’ll see what the test shows down the road,” he said.

The Audubon Society and other bird advocates in recent months have been whipped up over the decision by the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) to use clear glass on the new $1 billion stadium."

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/285392631.html

 

“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?”

-David Attenborough

Photos: Aylett

Examples of some of the reflective windows on campus. Thanks Aylett!

Photos: Becky K.

Our first White-crowned Sparrow and the window it flew into (Bldg. 20A/E).

White-throated Sparrow and the window it flew into (Bldg. 20A).

Photo: Becky K.

Working on ID (Bldg. 21C).

Photos: Kara K.

 

NEW SPECIES - American Pipit.

NEW SPECIES -- American Woodcock (Bldg. 11A).