| Astrid, Thank you for your comments. But I think compromise isn’t our answer here. In my view, this issue has developed because human beings see Nature as an afterthought. Humans see their own goals and actions as primary and, if they care at all, they might try to “minimize” their impact. God forbid they could reschedule or reconsider this project. As long as we don’t understand that Nature is not under our dominion, we will be unable to solve our environmental and climate problems. We are watching and participating in the 6th Great Extinction; but apparently that hasn’t sunk in yet.
Regi ____________ Creativity is the heart of adaptive evolution. Terry Tempest Williams
On Apr 15, 2024, at 10:27 AM, Astrid Jirka <ast...@discovercayugalake.org> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I appreciate the care and attention being given to the peregrines and the ravens in light of the lightshow being planned this weekend, as I've seen expressed through the Cayuga Bird Listserve.
I also appreciate NYS Parks for all they do to promote recreation and conservation of our natural resources. And I appreciate the Chamber and Visit Ithaca for all they do to promote tourism in our area which is so crucial to our local economy.
It is understandable to me that there is an interest in a celebration and that Tgnk Falls should be (literally) highlighted due to its beauty and its attraction to locals and visitors alike.
Could one of the birders please explain exactly what they think the repercussions would be to the bird nests that are of concern? Are the females likely to abandon their nests, eggs or chicks, and never return?
It is nice to see a community caring so much for our natural resources in so many ways. Let's do our best to make it work for the birds and the humans and all involved!
Take care,
Astrid Jirka
Director of Tourism Initiatives Discover Cayuga Lake
Sounds like there is a lot of momentum behind this and it might be
easier to deflect than to stop unless the weather is like today.
Celebrating the 100th probably is a huge deal for the agency, which
certainly have manages a lot of great habitat for birds. And they
people behind this particular event have put time, money, and effort
into planning and executing it and probably will be reluctant to
abandon it.
Is there a way this could be done and disturbance minimized? What
if they lit up the falls from right below so the gorge itself wasn't
illuminated, and instead of hiking up the gorge they centered the
celebration on the overlook rather than hiking the gorge hike?
Maybe there's a local bird-loving food truck or caterer who would be
willing to offer food at a discount to the parks for the three
nights up at the visitor center by the overlook?
Is there someone on the list with contacts at the Regional State
Park office or at the Chamber who could sound them out on whether
they are open to alternatives? Does the bird club have any
programming it runs in partnership with any of the local state
parks? We could try to shut this down but there's a good chance
that would fail and, whether or not it did, trying to shut it down
entirely will piss off a lot people which might not be good for
birds (or even birders) in the long run. Note the Chamber of
Commerce seems to be running the hikes so anyone on the list who is
a member might want to gently explain the issue to Jennifer Tavares,
who seems like a decent person. Not sure if Fred Bonn is still the
Regional Director of State Parks but he has been flexible in the
past when approached given actual evidence and alternatives - but
whoever approaches him should be prepared with published evidence or
personal reports by someone (maybe Tim G) who is an acknowledged
expert on peregrines and can show that the light show is going to
disturb the peregrines. Keep in mind that these folks know
peregrines nest on urban bridges and buildings that are lit at night
so they will need to know why this is different.
On 4/14/2024 12:06 PM, Geo Kloppel
wrote:
Below is the press release for the evening light
shows at the great falls in Taughannock Falls State Park later
this week, which have potential to disturb the Peregrine Falcons
and Ravens that are currently on nests there).
Note that the event is jointly hosted by NYS Parks,
Visit Ithaca, and also the Tompkins Chamber, which is handling
online registration for after-dark hikes up the gorge trail to
the lighted falls.
I heard some disturbing news last night.
Apparently Taughannock Falls will be brightly illuminated
from 8:30 to 10:00 this coming Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday night (April 18, 19, and 20). I guess it’s some
kind of PR stunt to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
New York State Park Service, but it couldn’t possibly come
at a worse time, with the eggs just about to hatch in the
Peregrine Falcon eyrie and a pair of Ravens nesting right
beside the falls—not mention all the other wildlife in the
park. There certainly should be other, less potentially
harmful, ways to celebrate the Park Service. You can contact
the Taughannock Park office at (607) 387-7041. (Photo by
Arthur A. Allen)
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Archives:
Please submit your
observations to eBird!
--
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Archives:
Please submit your observations to eBird!
--
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Archives:
Please submit your observations to eBird!
--
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Archives:
Please submit your observations to eBird!
--
|
