skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump Taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to Slash Government; Creating virtual power plants for resiliency during extreme weather, wildfires; Federal funds help power PA produce distributor's rooftop solar; New Nebraska caregiver tax credit has military focus.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

GOP leaders say they're ready for President-elect Trump to return to office. President Biden hosts the Israeli president, amid concerns about blocked Gaza aid, and the labor movement assesses the impact of Trump being back in the White House.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

An urban vote slump, not the rural electorate, tipped the presidential election, Minnesota voters approved more lottery money to support conservation and clean water and a survey shows strong broadband causes rural businesses to boom.

Are Arkansas' Backyard Birds at Risk?

play audio
Play

Monday, May 13, 2013   

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - From their beautiful songs to their stunning colors, birds are putting on their best displays this time of year in Arkansas. It's the spring migration season, and more than half the birds you see at backyard feeders and soaring across the sky right now are headed north to Canada's Boreal Forest. It's the largest intact forest on earth and, according to Dan Scheiman, conservation director for Audubon Arkansas, it's the nesting ground for birds in the United States.

"Well, what happens in Canada, where many birds breed, affects how many young are born each year and how many birds make it to next year," he said. "And that affects the numbers of birds that we see here in Arkansas."

About 3 billion of North America's land birds and 26 million waterfowl breed in the Boreal Forest.

Dr. Jeff Wells, senior scientist with the Boreal Songbird Initiative, warned that many of the birds are at risk as the forest faces new threats, and that some species have already seen significant declines.

"It is an area that is under threat from mining, forestry, oil and gas, hydro, lots of different factors," he said. "And it is being impacted by climate change."

Locally, the birds also face challenges as they make their way north to the forest breeding grounds. For instance, the white lights on tall buildings and towers that are meant to warn pilots actually attract and confuse songbirds and can cause them to collide with the structure, or circle a light until they wear themselves out.

However, Dan Scheiman said that in terms of numbers and variety, this is still the most exciting time of year for bird-watchers in Arkansas.

"All sorts of songbirds are moving through the state right now," he said. "That includes a wide variety of songbirds, like warblers, vireos and thrushes. Bigger birds are moving through right now: hawks and waterfowl and shorebirds."

He adds that Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area and the White River National Wildlife Refuge are among the best places to see the birds on the move this month.

Track your favorite birds' migration journey on the Boreal Songbird Initiative website.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
According to a United Nations 2015 report, food system emissions were responsible for 18 billion tons of carbon dioxide, making up 34% of global emissions. (Pattadis/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…


Social Issues

play sound

This weekend, a new coalition called "We Are California" is holding meetings up and down the state, preparing to resist what it sees as anticipated …

Social Issues

play sound

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to confirm his choice of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security and …


Bobcats are elusive, native predators known for their sharp senses and solitary nature, typically hunting at dawn or dusk. (Adobe stock)

Environment

play sound

Indiana's Department of Natural Resources is pushing a bobcat trapping plan after a new law required a hunting season by 2025. Opponents said the …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A New York group has a new program to help veterans. The Center for Independence of the Disabled New York's Veteran Direct Care program helps …

Virtual power plants, a microgrid connecting renewable energy with smart appliances, costs ratepayers 40% to 60% less than building and maintaining conventional coal or gas-powered plants. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

An electric cooperative supplying power to Western Colorado is pioneering energy independence for homes, businesses and farms. They are creating a …

Social Issues

play sound

As Nebraskans anticipate the upcoming holiday season, some might also be looking ahead to the 2025 tax season, which will include a new tax credit …

Social Issues

play sound

Changes in leadership at the federal level are likely to have some effect on the labor movement. In Minnesota, election results have spurred …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021