ON EARTH DAY, HELP PREVENT BIRD DEATHS AT COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS! Last week, Audubon, Defenders of Wildlife, and the American Bird Conservancy petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to address the killing of millions of migratory birds from collisions with the more than 100,000 communications towers throughout the United States. Now, we need your letters to support our petition! ***TAKE ACTION*** Please e-mail the FCC today: http://audubonaction.org/campaign/fcc_commtowers THE PROBLEM The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that millions of birds are killed each year because of communications towers. Scientists have shown that--especially during bad weather conditions--migrating birds become disoriented and trapped by the halo of light surrounding towers using steady-burning illumination, circling endlessly until they either collide with the structure, collide with each other, or fall dead from exhaustion. In one instance, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 dead birds were documented at just three nearby towers in a single night! THE SOLUTION The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has issued science-based guidelines on the siting and operation of these towers to minimize bird deaths. Unfortunately, the FCC--the government agency that licenses towers--has been dragging its feet implementing them for nearly a decade, despite repeated appeals by Audubon and other conservation groups; as well as independent scientists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and even a federal court order. ***TAKE ACTION!*** With the annual spring bird migration underway, there is no better time to e-mail the FCC and urge them to take immediate action to prevent future migratory bird deaths at towers: http://audubonaction.org/campaign/fcc_commtowers Happy Earth Day! Thanks for your continued support today and throughout the year, Your Friends at Audubon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you know someone else who cares about protecting birds? Please forward this message! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks! Patrick Patrick M. Comins Director of Bird Conservation Audubon Connecticut pcomins@audubon.org http://iba.audubon.org/iba/viewState.do?state=US-CT Audubon Center at Bent of the River 185 East Flat Hill Road Southbury, CT 06488 Phone: (203)264-5098 x305 or 203-267-6732 x305 Fax: (203)264-6332