Lyn Heideman
@heidelyn.bsky.social
I'm only here for the birds. And, as it turns out, what's good for birds is good for people, too.
Pinned
Lyn Heideman
@heidelyn.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Trump is a coward who wraps himself in the trappings of a strongman. We're majestic, fearless eagles. We've got this. #birds
While studying avian vision to determine why some species are prone to flying into man-made structures, scientists discovered that the showy facial feathers of male golden pheasants decrease their field of vision. It's the first evidence that bird sexes see the world differently.
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
While studying avian vision to determine why some species are prone to flying into man-made structures, scientists discovered that the showy facial feathers of male golden pheasants decrease their field of vision. It's the first evidence that bird sexes see the world differently.
#Science has been a great source of US wealth.
But...2025 has been the worst year for American science in modern history. Trump’s cuts include >$5.5 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health + 1000s of jobs. 2026 promises to be worse if nothing is done.
But...2025 has been the worst year for American science in modern history. Trump’s cuts include >$5.5 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health + 1000s of jobs. 2026 promises to be worse if nothing is done.
November 26, 2025 at 4:32 AM
#Science has been a great source of US wealth.
But...2025 has been the worst year for American science in modern history. Trump’s cuts include >$5.5 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health + 1000s of jobs. 2026 promises to be worse if nothing is done.
But...2025 has been the worst year for American science in modern history. Trump’s cuts include >$5.5 billion in grants to the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health + 1000s of jobs. 2026 promises to be worse if nothing is done.
@wessiler.bsky.social connects Trump's attacks on the Endangered Species & Clean Water acts, opening US coastal waters to drilling, MBS/Putin/Maduro interactions, anti-public lands nominee for BLM head...and comes to a somewhat optimistic conclusion. 🌎
Or: How the invasion of Venezuela will save America's wetlands. wessiler.substack.com/p/what-moham...
What Mohammed Bin Salman’s White House Visit Means For The Endangered Species Act
Unintended consequences of completely predictable outcomes created by gross incompetence
wessiler.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:53 AM
@wessiler.bsky.social connects Trump's attacks on the Endangered Species & Clean Water acts, opening US coastal waters to drilling, MBS/Putin/Maduro interactions, anti-public lands nominee for BLM head...and comes to a somewhat optimistic conclusion. 🌎
A court sided with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and vacated a Biden-era rule that strengthened limits on fine-particle pollution. Industry groups and conservative states opposed the rule, citing high compliance costs. Experts say the ruling could lead to dirtier air and more US deaths.
November 26, 2025 at 3:37 AM
A court sided with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and vacated a Biden-era rule that strengthened limits on fine-particle pollution. Industry groups and conservative states opposed the rule, citing high compliance costs. Experts say the ruling could lead to dirtier air and more US deaths.
50 years after Al Gore sounded the alarm about climate change and 10 years after the Paris Accord, this year's UN climate summit agreed to step up efforts to adapt to global warming (but without a plan/timeline) and warned about the risks of inaction (but rejected proposals to address fossil fuels).
November 24, 2025 at 5:10 AM
50 years after Al Gore sounded the alarm about climate change and 10 years after the Paris Accord, this year's UN climate summit agreed to step up efforts to adapt to global warming (but without a plan/timeline) and warned about the risks of inaction (but rejected proposals to address fossil fuels).
Hedgehogs are just adorable. And this story of a couple in Scotland whose rescue of one hedgehog led to opening a hedgehog hospital is heartwarming. Enjoy: wapo.st/4oZkc4u (gift). #hedgehogs 🌎
This couple has saved hundreds of hedgehogs at their home turned hospital
“Never in a million years did we expect to do this,” said Andy Longhurst, who along with his wife has rescued more than 622 hedgehogs in recent years.
wapo.st
November 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Hedgehogs are just adorable. And this story of a couple in Scotland whose rescue of one hedgehog led to opening a hedgehog hospital is heartwarming. Enjoy: wapo.st/4oZkc4u (gift). #hedgehogs 🌎
Trump just announced a plan to allow new oil/gas drilling across ~1.3 billion acres of US coastal waters: off the CA coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, near FL, and off the coast of AK (including the northern Arctic where drilling has never been done). The plan comes at a time...
November 23, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Trump just announced a plan to allow new oil/gas drilling across ~1.3 billion acres of US coastal waters: off the CA coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, near FL, and off the coast of AK (including the northern Arctic where drilling has never been done). The plan comes at a time...
It comes as no surprise that Trump's nominee to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Steve Pearce, has regularly championed selling off public lands, opposed protections for special places, and worked to make it easier for oil and gas companies to operate on public lands.
November 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
It comes as no surprise that Trump's nominee to head the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Steve Pearce, has regularly championed selling off public lands, opposed protections for special places, and worked to make it easier for oil and gas companies to operate on public lands.
Habitat loss has driven the decline of more than half of forest birds in the Western US, making the health of remaining lands crucial. But after restoring a forest, how do you get feedback from the key critics of ecological health, the birds? Traditional bird counts are expensive and time consuming.
November 21, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Habitat loss has driven the decline of more than half of forest birds in the Western US, making the health of remaining lands crucial. But after restoring a forest, how do you get feedback from the key critics of ecological health, the birds? Traditional bird counts are expensive and time consuming.
Trump proposed today to significantly limit protections under the ESA, which since 1973 has prevented animal and plant extinctions. 4 proposed new rules could clear the way for more oil drilling, logging, and mining in critical habitats for endangered species. One rule, for example, would allow...
November 20, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Trump proposed today to significantly limit protections under the ESA, which since 1973 has prevented animal and plant extinctions. 4 proposed new rules could clear the way for more oil drilling, logging, and mining in critical habitats for endangered species. One rule, for example, would allow...
Our largest intact tract of public land and a place of staggering beauty, the Western Arctic in Alaska is a globally significant ecosystem supporting countless species and plays a critical role in stabilizing our climate. Now, as a gift to the fossil fuel industry, Trump is moving to open more...
November 19, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Our largest intact tract of public land and a place of staggering beauty, the Western Arctic in Alaska is a globally significant ecosystem supporting countless species and plays a critical role in stabilizing our climate. Now, as a gift to the fossil fuel industry, Trump is moving to open more...
Sydney's White-bellied Sea Eagles: Eaglets SE36 & SE35 fledged ~2 weeks ago but are still in camera range, which is unusual but a delight for us. Also unusual is how close the eaglets are after fledging. Recently, we were treated to both displaying horaltic poses: Birds spread their wings...
November 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Sydney's White-bellied Sea Eagles: Eaglets SE36 & SE35 fledged ~2 weeks ago but are still in camera range, which is unusual but a delight for us. Also unusual is how close the eaglets are after fledging. Recently, we were treated to both displaying horaltic poses: Birds spread their wings...
The only Wild Turkey in NYC, Astoria arrived in 2024, spent a year on Roosevelt Island, returned to NYC in April 2025, and settled in The Battery. Activities proven to be safe become routines for birds. Astoria has settled in The Battery and is safe roosting high up in "her tree" at night. #birds
Astoria the Wild Turkey flies up to her tree to rest for the night in The Battery. 🦃 ❤️
November 19, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The only Wild Turkey in NYC, Astoria arrived in 2024, spent a year on Roosevelt Island, returned to NYC in April 2025, and settled in The Battery. Activities proven to be safe become routines for birds. Astoria has settled in The Battery and is safe roosting high up in "her tree" at night. #birds
In 2008, a nest box was built into the water tower on the Charles Sturt University campus in Orange NSW, with the hope of attracting Peregrine Falcons. And they came. The current residents are Diamond (F), Gimbir (M), and Girri (chick). Peregrines usually have 2-4 chicks in a brood...
November 19, 2025 at 8:27 AM
In 2008, a nest box was built into the water tower on the Charles Sturt University campus in Orange NSW, with the hope of attracting Peregrine Falcons. And they came. The current residents are Diamond (F), Gimbir (M), and Girri (chick). Peregrines usually have 2-4 chicks in a brood...
A first: Researchers can now outfit monarch #butterflies with featherweight radio tags, powered by the sun, to track their journeys across NA to winter colonies in Mexico. A 22% drop in butterflies in NA in the last 20 years has spurred researchers to understand the life cycles of hundreds...
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 AM
A first: Researchers can now outfit monarch #butterflies with featherweight radio tags, powered by the sun, to track their journeys across NA to winter colonies in Mexico. A 22% drop in butterflies in NA in the last 20 years has spurred researchers to understand the life cycles of hundreds...
The Peregrine Fund (TPF) was founded in 1970 to restore the Peregrine Falcon when the birds were nearly driven to extinction by DDT. Since then, TPF has 50 years of raptor conservation success with more than 100 species in 65 countries. 2 new books from TPF share what they've learned. #birds 🌎
November 19, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The Peregrine Fund (TPF) was founded in 1970 to restore the Peregrine Falcon when the birds were nearly driven to extinction by DDT. Since then, TPF has 50 years of raptor conservation success with more than 100 species in 65 countries. 2 new books from TPF share what they've learned. #birds 🌎
Video from the coast of British Columbia may be the first documented instance of a wild wolf using a tool, according to scientists who just published the footage. The video shows the wolf using a fishing float and its rope to pull a crab trap to shore, then tearing the trap open to eat the bait.
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Video from the coast of British Columbia may be the first documented instance of a wild wolf using a tool, according to scientists who just published the footage. The video shows the wolf using a fishing float and its rope to pull a crab trap to shore, then tearing the trap open to eat the bait.
Governments’ emission-cutting plans submitted for the COP30 climate talks have done little to avert dangerous global heating for the 4th consecutive year, according to the Climate Action Tracker update. The world is anticipated to heat up by 2.6C above preindustrial times by the end of the century.
November 18, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Governments’ emission-cutting plans submitted for the COP30 climate talks have done little to avert dangerous global heating for the 4th consecutive year, according to the Climate Action Tracker update. The world is anticipated to heat up by 2.6C above preindustrial times by the end of the century.
Trump has proposed significantly curtailing the EPA’s authority to limit water pollution, stripping federal protections from millions of acres of wetlands and other US waters and threatening sources of clean drinking water for Americans and habitat for #birds & fish. It's a victory for businesses...
November 18, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Trump has proposed significantly curtailing the EPA’s authority to limit water pollution, stripping federal protections from millions of acres of wetlands and other US waters and threatening sources of clean drinking water for Americans and habitat for #birds & fish. It's a victory for businesses...
Trump's deep cuts to science have consequences: Kim Ballare, Ph.D., was hired by the US Forest Service to study how forest management techniques affect pollinators. Little is known about pollinators in that important environment. Ballare and her research were among the many casualties of DOGE.
November 17, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Trump's deep cuts to science have consequences: Kim Ballare, Ph.D., was hired by the US Forest Service to study how forest management techniques affect pollinators. Little is known about pollinators in that important environment. Ballare and her research were among the many casualties of DOGE.
The smallest of warm-blooded animals, hummingbirds have the fastest wingbeats & heartbeat of any bird, are the only birds that can fly backwards & straight up/down, can lower their temperature at night to save energy...and display a diversity of colors exceeding all other bird species combined.
November 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The smallest of warm-blooded animals, hummingbirds have the fastest wingbeats & heartbeat of any bird, are the only birds that can fly backwards & straight up/down, can lower their temperature at night to save energy...and display a diversity of colors exceeding all other bird species combined.
Our largest intact tract of public land and a place of staggering beauty, the Western Arctic in Alaska is a globally significant ecosystem supporting countless species and plays a critical role in stabilizing our climate. Now, as a gift to the fossil fuel industry, Trump is moving to open more...
November 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Our largest intact tract of public land and a place of staggering beauty, the Western Arctic in Alaska is a globally significant ecosystem supporting countless species and plays a critical role in stabilizing our climate. Now, as a gift to the fossil fuel industry, Trump is moving to open more...
Trump's deep cuts to science have consequences: Even though the bulk of work had been done and funding spent, the Coastal Hazards, Analysis, Modeling and Prediction (CHAMP) project was terminated. The system would have provided specific information about a storm’s potential damage...
November 17, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Trump's deep cuts to science have consequences: Even though the bulk of work had been done and funding spent, the Coastal Hazards, Analysis, Modeling and Prediction (CHAMP) project was terminated. The system would have provided specific information about a storm’s potential damage...
In another attack on public lands, Congress is voting to use the Congressional Review Act to invalidate 2 land management plans in Alaska. If passed, some of America’s greatest remaining wild landscapes--the Arctic Refuge and the Western Arctic--and would be opened to oil and gas leasing.
November 16, 2025 at 4:11 AM
In another attack on public lands, Congress is voting to use the Congressional Review Act to invalidate 2 land management plans in Alaska. If passed, some of America’s greatest remaining wild landscapes--the Arctic Refuge and the Western Arctic--and would be opened to oil and gas leasing.
As the last of the feathered warriors are making their way south, BirdCast's bird migration maps end tonight.
Birds will still be flying at night for a few more weeks. Please turn off all non-essential lighting between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM as our lights disorient them, causing injuries and deaths.
Birds will still be flying at night for a few more weeks. Please turn off all non-essential lighting between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM as our lights disorient them, causing injuries and deaths.
November 16, 2025 at 3:17 AM
As the last of the feathered warriors are making their way south, BirdCast's bird migration maps end tonight.
Birds will still be flying at night for a few more weeks. Please turn off all non-essential lighting between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM as our lights disorient them, causing injuries and deaths.
Birds will still be flying at night for a few more weeks. Please turn off all non-essential lighting between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM as our lights disorient them, causing injuries and deaths.