A few days ago I inadvertently walked into a Turkey Vulture convention while the keynote speaker was addressing the crowd! #birds #birding #vultures
@thebirderbob.bsky.socialReposted by @heidelyn.bsky.social
Lyn Heideman
@heidelyn.bsky.social
I'm only here for the birds. And, as it turns out, what's good for birds is good for other wildlife and people, too. (Note on links to articles: if the article has a paywall, I post a gift link; if there's no "gift" notation, the article has no paywall.)
@thebirderbob.bsky.socialReposted by @heidelyn.bsky.social@heidelyn.bsky.socialHabitat loss is the primary driver of the decline, but climate change, pollution, invasive species, and disease all contributed. The report noted that $7.3T was spent on activities that harmed nature compared with $220B spent to protect it in 2023. There's more: www.sierraclub.org/sierra/state...? 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialIn the new Living Planet Report, scientists concluded that biodiversity has experienced a huge 73% decline in the past 52 years—a decline "without precedent in human history." The report measured changes in 5,790 vertebrate species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish)....
@heidelyn.bsky.socialthey release ancient relics. Mostly stone, metal, and pottery survive from ancient times. In the Alps, the ice has has preserved organic materials—leather, wood, textiles, bodies—that tell a richer story about the past. More on what melting Alps are revealing: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/c.... 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialTrump's "climate hoax" is causing the Swiss Alps to lose ice faster than almost anywhere on the planet. The glaciers have shed nearly 20% of their volume over the past 5 years; 97% of the glaciers across the Alps could be gone by century’s end. As the glaciers and ice patches disappear,...
@heidelyn.bsky.socialwith less land and roof area. Called tandem solar, it adds layers of material enabling the panels to convert more of the sun’s radiance into electricity. Several companies are preparing to sell the panels commercially soon. Challenges and opportunities ahead: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/05/b.... 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialTrump has tried to crush scientific research, clean energy—all that really made the US great. And yet... US producers of solar panels are on the cusp of a breakthrough that could upend the industry and threaten China’s grip on it. The panels generate 25% more energy to meet electricity demand...
@heidelyn.bsky.socialMembers of the court appear split along ideological lines. Justice Alito recused himself, creating the possibility of a deadlock that would send the case back to lower courts. The case won't be decided until June or July: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/c.... 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialBoulder’s lawsuit says Exxon Mobil & Suncor Energy should help pay for the heat waves, wildfires, etc. caused by global warming. The companies say the lawsuit should be thrown out because it was filed under state not federal law: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/04/c.... 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialNearly a decade ago, Boulder, CO, sued 2 oil companies over their role in global warming. Now, the Supreme Court will consider whether the lawsuit can ever go to trial. A win for Boulder would force the industry to pay for the damages of burning fossil fuels. A loss could doom other cases....
@heidelyn.bsky.sociala 72-page comment letter opposing the proposal, which concludes that "the Agency should withdraw its current proposal": oag.ca.gov/system/files.... There's also lots here for a lawsuit if the Trump administration proceeds despite overwhelming public opposition and legal issues. 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialAnalysis by the Center for Western Priorities found that 99.1% of 370,238 public comments on the proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule oppose the plan: westernpriorities.org/resource/new...? >1M comments were made; not all have been posted yet.
What's more a coalition of 17 state AGs submitted...
@heidelyn.bsky.socialMore of the Condors are expected to reach breeding age in the next few years: www.allaboutbirds.org/news/califor.... Note: A major cause of Condor mortality is lead bullets left in carcasses. California is the only state with a comprehensive ban on lead ammunition for all hunting purposes. #birds
@heidelyn.bsky.socialFor the first time in more than a century, 2 California Condors nested on the lands of the Yurok Tribe in Northern California this past spring. The nesting of two Condors on Yurok lands marks the homecoming of a bird that the Tribe holds sacred. Since 2022, the Tribe has released 25 Condors....
@heidelyn.bsky.socialThe Autumn issue of Cornell Lab's "Living Bird" magazine includes more of Rosemary Mosco's delightful Birdwords, an illustrated—and humorous—guide to ornithological terms: www.allaboutbirds.org/news/birdwor.... #birds
@heidelyn.bsky.socialis considering changes to how corporations harvest menhaden and seeks public comments. The American Bird Conservancy makes it fast to advocate for Ospreys with a comment you can personalize and they'll send: act.abcbirds.org/a/take-actio.... Please comment before noon EDT Oct 9. Thank you! #birds
@heidelyn.bsky.socialLast chance to speak up for Ospreys. Up and down the East Coast, Osprey chicks are starving and nests failing for lack of menhaden. A nutrient-rich fish, menhaden are scooped up by corporations to make fish oil, etc. There's hope. The ASMFC, which determines how Atlantic fish are managed,...
@heidelyn.bsky.socialResearchers are evaluating its effectiveness, cost, and scalability (2-min video): apnews.com/video/califo...? CA provides >50% of all the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the US. The state supports organic farming through regulation, financial assistance, and transition programs. 🌎
@heidelyn.bsky.socialIn California, an agriculture startup is testing using high-temperature steam to suppress weeds and soil-borne diseases. The steam-powered machine could provide organic growers with an alternative to chemical soil fumigation.
@heidelyn.bsky.socialheavy rain, storm surges, and the possibility of tornadoes. The likely path is the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi: www.nytimes.com/live/2026/10... (gift). 🌎