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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 6h

This at a time when US's iconic wildlife is endangered or threatened: polar and grizzly bears, gray wolves, more than one-third of bird species, the list goes on. This also at a time when Trump is slashing humanitarian aid (USAID) overseas: wapo.st/4ofBnOl (gift).

Trump’s new foreign aid plan eyes $50 million for Greenland’s polar bears

Documents reviewed by The Post show the administration may spend millions to protect vulnerable wildlife, proposals that stunned critics of its moves to gut foreign assistance.

wapo.st

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 6h

America First? NOT When it's America's wildlife.

But...Trump is considering spending $50 million in foreign aid to protect polar bears in Greenland and $25 million for snow leopards in Nepal.

Parallel US initiatives slash wildlife programs as incompatible with the America First agenda.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 21h

Plant native, dim lights at night, make windows visible, don't use pesticides, restrain pets, avoid plastics, and purchase sustainable foods. More information: www.migratorybirdday.org/conservation.... (See also alt text.) #birds 🌎

The Peregrine Falcon is one of the representatives of 2025 World Migratory Bird Day.

Falco peregrinus, the Peregrine Falcon, is the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds of up to 380 km/h during flight. Known for its long migrations, this raptor has also adapted to urban environments, successfully nesting on man-made structures like skyscrapers, bridges, and nest boxes. In these settings, their diet includes a variety of bird species such as Rock Doves, Northern Flickers, Blue Jays, and Mourning Doves. They also prey on migratory species as they journey through cities, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Northern Oriole and other species have been reported as prey items. One of the leading causes of Peregrine Falcon mortality in urban settings is collisions. A study in New England, from Delaware to Maine, showed that collisions with buildings and windows caused up to 21% of the deaths. Other research has demonstrated that this may be higher in other communities, reaching 36% in a study that included Ontario, Quebec, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. morning or late evening in brightly lit urban areas.

(Image and text courtesy of World Migratory Bird Day in the Americas: https://www.migratorybirdday.org/)

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 21h

Today is World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated in May, when migratory birds travel to nesting sites, and in October, when they return to wintering grounds. This year’s theme is creating bird-friendly cities and communities, emphasizing 7 important steps to keep birds safe on their long journeys...

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 1d

Take a break and listen to the calming sound of birdsongs. Cornell's Macaulay Library chose its favorites among last year's >470,000 recordings. Play a few at once, don't miss the pika, and imagine you're walking in the mountains: www.allaboutbirds.org/news/best-bi...? #birds

Best Bird Sounds: Our Favorite Macaulay Library Audio Recordings 2025

In 2024, birders uploaded more than 470,000 sound recordings to the Macaulay Library archive. Here are some of our favorites from the year.

www.allaboutbirds.org

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 1d

...using their 9 1/2-ft wings to explore the area and finding safe ledges to roost on at night, safe from ground predators. Milagra, released last year, has also been seen in the area with her flock. Photos & video from the event: peregrinefund.org/help-condors. #birds #condors

California Condor #1254 saw a flock of wild Condors flying around the enclosure and raced out to join them on Sep. 27. The other 4 Condors waited until the thunderstorms passed and flew out on Sep. 29. (Video courtesy of The Peregrine Fund)

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 1d

Update on the California Condor release at Vermilion Cliffs, AZ: 4 of the 5 stayed put on Sep. 27, likely sensing looming thunderstorms. The 4 took off on Sep. 29 and have been observed by @theperegrinefund.bsky.social ground team, who report the birds are becoming more experienced at...

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

The science is fascinating...what it can do for your yard is transformative...you'll be helping to address the collapse of insect populations...and pretty much all you need to do is let the leaves fall. Here are some tips: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/r... (gift). 🌎 #gardens #gardening

Why Leaving the Leaves Is Better for Your Yard

www.nytimes.com

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

By doing nothing you can do good: leave the leaves!

Let those autumn leaves fall where they may, providing habitat for bugs, offering havens and food (those bugs) for wildlife, and nourishing plants and soil as they decompose.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

A few days later, the young Albatross fledged into the Pacific and headed toward South America, where the bird will likely spend the next few years foraging before returning to New Zealand to breed. Watch (video by @cornellbirdcams.bsky.social): www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/hoverin...? #birds

Albatross Chick Learns How to Hover in Gale-Force Winds

https://youtu.be/njawT79NKDo Warning: there’s loud wind noise and viewers should adjust their volume On a rainy, blustery afternoon in New Zealand, the Royal Cam albatross chick put on an i...

www.allaboutbirds.org

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

Royal #Albatross spend the vast majority of their lives at sea, keeping aloft on ocean wind currents and updrafts. A chick on New Zealand's Taiaroa Head put on an impressive display for a first flight, instinctively knowing how to hover in place--without a single wingbeat--as the wind streams past.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

Watch live cam (offline at night): www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/califor....

Videos:
Chick fed by dad: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdHU....
Chick explores ridge: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc4N....
Chick in sunrise: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH3i....
#birds

California Condors

Watch the California Condor cam

www.allaboutbirds.org

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

New California Condor nest cam from @cornellbirdcams.bsky.social: The nest is on a cliff face in the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in SoCal. The parents are 20+ year-old #condors #328 (male) and #216 (female). The chick (#1379) is 156 days old, weighs >20 lb, and likely fledges in late Oct.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

I'll admit to having a cuteness overload reaction to this little bird. Great photo--and I love the way you catch wildlife (and an errant budgie) in scene.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 2d

The article noted that the money amounts to $100,000 for each of Greenland's polar bears. So, yeah, likely part of Trump's campaign to (try to) annex Greenland.

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Lyn Heideman @heidelyn.bsky.social · 3d

I thought they were emphasizing that critical research like this is not being adequately funded, and the researchers are forced to do work in substandard conditions (random rentals). The specificity of AIRBNB made it real. Maybe I overthought it?

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