Migratory bird research and conservation headlined the Metroparks Toledo commissioners’ February 28 meeting.
Jay Wright, director of conservation science, said there has been a reduction of 2.9 billion birds since 1970, 2.5 billion of which are migratory birds.
He gave Baltimore Orioles as one example, noting that two in five have been lost in the past 54 years.
“Two of the biggest threats to the birds are cats and collisions,” he explained. He urges cat owners to keep their pets indoors or in enclosed patios, pointing out cats kill 2.6 billion birds annually.
Each year, window and vehicle collisions account for another 624 million and 214 million respectively. Other deadly sources are power lines, 57 million; communication towers, 6.8 million, and wind turbines, 679,000.
Birds colliding with structures is common as they see a habitat’s reflection in the glass and fly into it. Lighted buildings at night also confuse the avians.
Mr. Wright said Metroparks is partnering with a number of organizations for the Ohio Lights Out initiative, noting a number of Ohio cities have similar programs.
The goal is to make Toledo bird friendly with owners of buildings agreeing to turn off exterior decorative lighting, dim lobby and atrium lighting, and turn off interior lights or draw blinds, expecially on upper levels.
This should be done from midnight to dawn between March 15 and June 1 and August 15 to October 31, peak migratory seasons.
Working with Metroparks to promote “Lights Out” are Nature’s Nursery, Toledo Zoo, Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Together the organizations are working to enroll more buildings in the program and recommending the installation of bird-safe glass.
Mr. Wright noted that Metroparks is installing birdsafe glass treatments on all windows on wildlife at their parks.
Districtwide, Metroparks is actively monitoring the avian population.
“Our goals are to track changes in species’ use of parks,” he said.
Other objectives are to:
•associate habitats and management practices with species’ presence and abundance •monitor population status of state-listed species
•use indicator species to assess attainment status
•contribute to regional and national databases.
Park researchers are monitoring breeding and nonbreeding birds with help from volunteers.
Continued from page 1 Migratory birds are observed using a wildlife tracking tower at Pearson park.
This year, they are monitoring American Tree Sparrows using Motus tags. The hope is to learn about site fidelity, movement and survival for the remainder of winter as well as finding out spring departure dates and northbound migration tracks, Mr. Wright said.
During the summer they plan to observe Wood Thrush migration and survival.
He noted that the habitats of some species are changing, attributing it to climate. “We are seeing more and more that don’t migrate or go as far south because they don’t need to,” he added.
The park board commended Mr. Wright for the research and conservation efforts. Commissioner Fritz Byers asked what the board could do to help move the Lights Out and research programs forward.
Mr. Wright replied that the biggest obstacle is people. “It’s really a matter of having people available to assist.”
Other Business
In other business, the park board:
•Reviewed the treasurer’s report submitted by Matt Cleland, chief financial officer.
He noted that the skating ribbon has been a popular attraction at Glass City park. “The response has been wonderful, and sales look great,” he said, adding more than 50,000 people have skated there.
The treasurer also pointed out that to date in 2024, “revenue is 5.7 percent ahead of our projections.”
•Amended appropriations to reflect donation supported initiatives, $14,433; support districtwide recycling, $3,249, and improve the existing 5k course at Swan Creek park.
•Declared as surplus a 2016 Caterpillar used at Oak Openings park, due to the unit’s age, repair cost and compatibility with existing equipment.
The board also approved the purchase of a replacement Caterpillar compact track loader for $108,466.
•Engaged Jake Coolman as the “hoagie” for the muledrawn canal boat experience this year at Providence park in Grand Rapids. Mr. Coolman will provide mules and horses for all designated canal boat rides and horses for the Manor House holiday carriage rides at a cost of $62,000.
•Paid bills for January totaling $3.87 million.
The next board meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 20, in the pavilion at Glass City park, 1505 Front Street, Toledo, and is open to the public.
