Protect Critical Migratory Bird Stopover Habitat in Northwest Ohio
- von: Black Swamp Bird Observatory, American Bird Conservancy
- empfänger: Marcy Kaptur, Rob Portman, Sherrod Brown, Randy Gardner, Chris Redfern
Every spring and fall, many millions of songbirds migrate long distances between nesting grounds in Canada or the northern United States and wintering grounds in the southern U.S. or the tropics. These birds mostly fly at night and spend the days resting and feeding. Although some birds may stop over practically anywhere, a few areas are major stopover habitats, critically important to the survival of large numbers of birds. One such region involves a series of sites along the south shore of Lake Erie, in the northwestern part of the state of Ohio.
Because of the sheer numbers and variety of birds concentrating here, thousands of birders come to northwest Ohio every spring and fall, providing a significant boost to the local economy. For example, the Ohio Division of Wildlife estimated that nearly 70,000 birders visiting the area during the April and May in 2013.
Unfortunately, the habitats that support the migratory birds are now threatened by proposals to build wind turbines nearby. Wind industry consultants suggest that birds will be unaffected, because the birds usually migrate at heights of more than 500 feet above the ground. But this does not apply at major stopover sites, where vast numbers of birds are taking off or landing. And because the birds mostly migrate at night, they are taking off or landing in the dim light of dusk or pre-dawn, when it would be most difficult for them to see obstacles such as wind turbines.
Black Swamp Bird Observatory has more than 20 years of data proving that this region is globally significant for migratory birds. But studies are just beginning to establish the rate of climb or descent for birds leaving or arriving in these stopover habitats, so it is too early to say how much of a buffer zone would be needed around major stopover sites to avoid killing huge numbers of birds.
Considering the importance of these stopover habitats to both the migratory birds and the local economy, we urge you to support a three-year moratorium on the building of any additional wind turbines within the area of greatest concern: specifically, within three miles of the Lake Erie shoreline in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties.
Dear Elected Officials Kaptur, Portman, Brown, Redfern, Gardner:
Every spring and fall, many millions of songbirds migrate long distances between nesting grounds in Canada or the northern United States and wintering grounds in the southern U.S. or the tropics. These birds mostly fly at night and spend the days resting and feeding. Although some birds may stop over practically anywhere, a few areas are major stopover habitats, critically important to the survival of large numbers of birds. One such region involves a series of sites along the south shore of Lake Erie, in northwestern Ohio.
Because of the sheer numbers and variety of birds concentrating here, thousands of birders from all over the world come to northwest Ohio every spring and fall, bringing tens of millions of dollars to the local economy. For example, the Ohio Division of Wildlife estimated 70,000 birders visiting the area during the first two weeks of May in 2013.
Unfortunately, the habitats that support the migratory birds are now threatened by proposals to build wind turbines nearby. Wind industry consultants suggest that birds will be unaffected, but the state and federal wildlife agencies as well as the ornithologists at Black Swamp Bird Observatory disagree with that assessment. We maintain that this area poses a high risk to birds and bats and is not a suitablelocation for wind turbines. That position is supported by a whole host of organizations and agencies, including: Ducks Unlimited, National Aududon Society, American Bird Conservancy, American Birding Association, League of Ohio Sportsman, and Ohio Environmental Council.
Black Swamp Bird Observatory, a respected nonprofit research and education organization in your districts, has more than 20 years of data proving that this region is globally significant for migratory birds. But studies are just beginning to establish the rate of climb or descent for birds leaving or arriving in these stopover habitats, so it is too early to say how much of a buffer zone would be needed around major stopover sites to avoid killing huge numbers of birds. Until we know the answers to these questions, it is irresponsible to construct large wind turbines in these high-risk zones. We have plenty of studies documenting the fact that wind turbines kill birds and bats. And in high-risk areas, they are killing a lot of birds and bats. This is a known fact.
Considering the importance of these stopover habitats to both the migratory birds and the local economy, we urge you to support a three-year moratorium on the building of any additional wind turbines within the area of greatest concern: specifically, within five miles of the Lake Erie shoreline in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties.
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Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
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