[EBB Sightings] Peregrine Falcon also hitless at Coliseum <28804.24.4.22.118.1152394031.squirrel@www.ssl.berkeley.edu>

Newells' Shearwaters (known as 'A'o in Hawaiian) actually get misguided by
the lights, and manmade lighting like this is a threat to their survival.
Here is from a Fish&Wildlife page:

"A second threat to the `A`o is its attraction to light. Increasing
urbanization and the accompanying manmade lighting have resulted in
substantial problems for fledgling shearwaters during their first flight to
the ocean from their nesting grounds. When attracted to manmade lights,
fledglings become confused and may suffer temporary night blindness. They
often fly into utility wires, poles, trees, and buildings and fall to the
ground. Between 1978 and 1981, more than 5,000 Newell's Shearwaters fell on
Kaua`i's highways, athletic fields, and hotel grounds."

http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wesa/ao.html

Now, to make this a legitimate EBB post, I want to add that I do not know
how our local petrels and shearwaters are affected by the lights, but it is
likely some of the same effect applies. Probably for some birds, the lights
are a boon in that they attract insects. But for others, the lights could be
disorienting for migration, breeding, or fledglings.

Scott R

----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: "EBB" 
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [EBB Sightings] Peregrine Falcon also hitless at Coliseum


> It's a bit far afield, but I once saw a Newell's Shearwater circling above
> the stadium lights at a high school football game in Honolulu many, many
> moons ago.
> Jaan Lepson
> Livermore
> > Not unlike the Oakland A's, who were nearly no-hit at last night's game,
> > we
> > watched a pre-game avian miss.  I was playfully counting Rock Pigeons,
> > when
> > I noticed one being pursued by a PEREGRINE FALCON.  The Falcon missed
its
> > quarry, circled a few times, and was not seen again during the game.
Lots
> > of WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS high above the stadium, too.  This marks the
> > second
> > time I've seen a Peregrine while at an A's game.  I'm still waiting for
a
> > Storm-Petrel sighting...sigh...
> >
> > Jennifer Rycenga
> > Half Moon Bay, CA