The federal Bird Banding Lab (BBL) and USGS Ecosystems Mission Area may be at risk. Join the virtual rally at noon on Thursday, May 22nd. The link can be found in our Linktree. Contact your state representatives to voice your concern. From Scott Weidensaul: "As some of you may be aware, there are reports that the federal BBL, which runs the entire U.S. bird banding program, has been slated by DOGE for elimination as soon as this week, along with the rest of the vital Ecosystems Mission Area at USGS. The consequences of such a move on birds and bird conservation would be incalculable. The BBL is the only source for bands and the federal permits that allow us to do the work we do; the loss of the banding lab would mean, frankly, an end to nearly 30 years of Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO) research. But the ramifications go far beyond one species of small owl. For example, most of the birds banded in North America are waterfowl, and banding and band return data are central to properly managing our waterfowl populations by setting scientifically defensible hunting seasons and bag limits. No data, and wildlife managers are working half-blind." #birdconservation #standupforscience

Bidding is taking flight! Our featured piece, “Peacemaker” by Marjorie Taylor, is already turning heads—and bids are coming in fast. This original acrylic painting bursts with movement and color. Inspired by Audubon, it was crowned the official label art for Millworks’ seasonal beer. 🍻 Painted by hand. Brewed into legend. 🎯 Will YOU be the one to take this masterpiece home and own a piece of local culture? 📆 Don’t miss your chance—bidding closes this Saturday! 🔗 Click the link in bio or https://new.biddingowl.com/item/peacemaker-2024-by?AuctionItemId=457016eb-faac-4b72-b2fc-5bc3fd96df80&QueryAuctionId=c69dd7d5-0544-4b49-82b9-b2173431e473&QueryCategory=Art #BirdArt #PeacemakerPainting #HarrisburgArt #ArtAuction #BidToWin #MillworksHBG #SupportLocalArtists #BirdsInArt

Over one billion birds die in the United States each year due to window collisions. Bird Safe Harrisburg’s collision monitoring program is collecting deceased and injured birds that are window-strike victims in order to provide information on the timing of collision events, what species are most affected, and what buildings are most dangerous. We could use your help! If you find a deceased or injured bird in Harrisburg or the greater Harrisburg area, please record your observation in our public iNaturalist Project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/bird-strikes-community-science-project-bird-safe-harrisburg. If you are unable to collect or transport an injured bird for rehab to West Shore Wildlife Center, please contact birdsafeharrisburg@appalachianaudubon.org If you would like to be involved as an official volunteer for our collision monitoring program, or would like to learn more, please visit: https://www.appalachianaudubon.org/bird-safe-harrisburg-collision-monitoring We need monitors for weekends through the end of May during our spring monitoring season. Above is a sampling of window-strike victims recovered this past week, April 27th-May 3rd in Harrisburg. Clockwise from top left, species name – monitor name – location found: Red-bellied Woodpecker – Kevin Mock – Federal Building Gray Catbird – Stan LeQuire – Keystone Plaza Common Yellowthroat – Marilyn Glace – State Capitol Building White-breasted Nuthatch – Zach Richard – Rachel Carson State Office Building Blue Jay – Kevin Mock – Whitaker Center Swamp Sparrow – Tara Staub – State Capitol Building Northern Rough-winged Swallow – Molly Toth – Penn National Insurance Yellow-Rumped Warbler – Anna Reichenbach – Hall Technology Building/HACC #birdcollisionprevention #birdcollisions #volunteer #birdsafe #birdsafeglass

If you would like to learn the process behind "Creating a Pollinator Paradise," please join Heather Andrews on Thursday, May 8 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. The evening will begin with a welcome introduction on the important topic of the Asian jumping worm, followed by Heather’s inspiring program on designing gardens that attract and support pollinators. There is a registration fee of $5. To register, please follow the link below: https://web.cvent.com/event/5837922a-c80a-4f3e-867d-95e3e098ba4d/summary #pollinators #bees #butterflies #asianjumpingworms #gardening

It has been an active week for monitors with the Bird Safe Harrisburg program. We recovered deceased window-strike victims including four White-throated Sparrows. At the Capitol Complex, monitors Darron Luckenbill and Tara Staub captured a stunned Swamp Sparrow and Savannah Sparrow to take to rehab at @westshorewildlife. Without care these birds may not recover, so the efforts of our volunteers make a big difference. If you would like to get involved in the program, please visit https://www.appalachianaudubon.org/bird-safe-harrisburg-collision-monitoring to learn more! #birdsafeharrisburg #volunteer #windowcollisions #SaveBirds