Millions of birds killed in the USA by mining claim posts

Marker posts killing untold number of birds

May 2012. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S.D.A. Forest Service (FS), and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) have begun identifying and implementing solutions to solve a widespread and potentially enormous bird mortality threat that is associated with 3.4 million mining claims on public lands, mainly in the west of USA.

Birds trapped by mining prospector claims
Small birds apparently see the opening of PVC pipes used to mark mining claims as a hollow suitable for roosting or nesting or possibly gathering to pool body heat during migration. The birds may enter the holes, only to become trapped because the walls are too smooth to allow them to grapple their way up the sides and the pipes are too narrow for the birds to extend their wings and fly out. Death from dehydration or starvation follows.

Kills 1 million plus birds every year"This is a very significant bird mortality threat, likely accounting for a million or more bird deaths each year," said Darin Schroeder, Vice President for Conservation Advocacy for ABC. "Many of the birds tragically found dead in these pipes are also experiencing declines in their populations. American Bird Conservancy believes the agencies must act quickly and require mining companies to replace their uncapped PVC pipe-markers with solid, high-visibility stakes when they seek claim re-registration in order to prevent further unnecessary bird deaths."

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/usa-birds.html