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Audubon shares 4 beach day tips for protecting piping plovers, other Great Lakes birds

CHICAGO, Ill. -- With beach season about to kick into high gear, conservation organizations are urging summer travelers to practice a few simple steps to help protect Great Lakes shorebirds like the endangered piping plover. Every May through August, these tiny, charismatic birds raise their even tinier chicks along Great Lakes shorelines, including popular summer destinations in Northern Michigan such as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 2019 piping plover nesting sites, as identified by Audubon Great Lakes. The following four tips from Audubon Great Lakes can help protect nesting shorebirds:Give nesting birds at least 100 feet of distance if the space allows. This graphic illustration from Audubon Great Lakes uses beach-themed visuals to explain the safe distance beachgoers should maintain between themselves and shorebirds.

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Ann Arbor asks owners of tall buildings to turn off lights to help migrating birds

ANN ARBOR – During the spring and fall migrations, more than 250 birds migrate at night over Michigan. Brightly-lit tall buildings disorient the birds and some will circle these buildings until their either die from colliding with the structure or from exhaustion. According to scientists, hundreds of millions of birds die annually as a result of these encounters with tall buildings. AdProperty owners of tall buildings as well as residents or office workers are encouraged to turn off their lights or close their shades after 11 p.m. during Safe Passages Great Lakes Days. Those who work in tall buildings at night are also encouraged to use desk lamps or other dim lights to minimize perimeter lighting at night.

List: Endangered or threatened species in Michigan

(Rolf Peterson/Michigan Technological University via AP)A look at Michigan’s endangered or threatened species. The Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) describes two categories of declining species of plants and animals that need the Act’s protections – endangered species and threatened species – and provides these definitions:Endangered - any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range;Threatened - any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Endangered species are at the brink of extinction now. Threatened species are likely to be at the brink in the near future. Related stories:

This is your chance to catch rare sightings of winter wildlife in Michigan

It’s been a snowy month of February, creating beautiful sites across the state of Michigan. Along with the pretty sights, the weather also allows winter wildlife to enjoy their natural settings. The DNR also continues to work during the winter to preserve habitats for our wildlife. AdWatch the video above to hear how you can help birds that are here for our Michigan winter. To learn more about Michigan Wildlife and conservation efforts that are happening, click or tap here.

Mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus: What to know

Cases of the rare mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis, known as EEE, are popping up in Michigan and other U.S. states.What is Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)? EEE virus (EEEV) is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). EEE cases occur primarily from late spring through early fall, but in subtropical endemic areas (e.g., the Gulf States), rare cases can occur in winter. According to Vector Disease Control International, eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a zoonotic alphavirus and arbovirus, and was first recognized in horses in 1831 in Massachusetts. Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is maintained in a cycle between Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and avian hosts in freshwater hardwood swamps.

Scavenging bald eagles face threat from vehicles in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. Bald eagles that soar majestically through Michigan skies are finding danger on the ground even after recovering from the brink of extinction. Bald eagles are scavengers, and road kill is a favorite form of food for them because they are sitting on the road, Roberson said. Fish and Wildlife Service, examined the deaths of 1,490 bald eagles. In 2007, bald eagles were removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Experts say Michigan is home to an estimated 2,500 bald eagles, including more than 500 young eagles that arent of breeding age.

Study looks at decades of bald eagle deaths in Michigan

DETROIT A study of more than 30 years of data on bald eagles in Michigan shows the leading causes of death for the iconic national bird are being hit by cars and lead poisoning. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. James Sikarskie, a retired professor from Michigan State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, was a co-author of the study. Lead poisoning causes damage to the liver and kidneys, and the treatment to draw the toxin out, chelation, is also traumatic on them.Michigan officials said they encourage non-lead ammunition. DNR spokesman Ed Golder said its a hunter preference partly because non-lead ammunition is more expensive.

Roost rings: Large groups of birds spotted on Metro Detroit radar

Its a bird, its a plane -- no, its a lot of birds! Youve seen random things pop up on radar over the years, including fish-flies, which takeover Metro Detroit in June. Now, the radar has gone to the birds. Local 4s Paul Gross noticed these things called Roost Rings on radar, popping up over Southern Ontario and Monroe County. These rings are large groups of birds waking up at dawn and flying away in all directions, Paul said on Twitter.