WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO….
WORKING FOR WILDLIFE IN AUBURN, NY
Wildlife Watch gave a presentation in Auburn, NY at the invitation of
Rita Sarnicola. Rita organized a wonderful meeting to encourage the City
to participate in a wildlife watching program that would turn Auburn, NY
into the Crow Watching Capital of the country.
Photo by Steve Johnson
You may recall that a local bar sponsored a crow shooting contest
which brought in buffoons from all over. It’s no way to encourage
tourists who will could spend their many tourist dollars to spend it in
the City of Auburn.
Biologists gave presentations about how Auburn historically has had
one of the largest crow roosts in the country. Steve Johnson, who is
also trying to prevent the City from allowing these contests, took the
photo above. The City complained that crows roost in the downtown area.
Steve demonstrated that crows are attracted to trees that are in the
light. He showed how much light there is in downtown Auburn and
suggested putting caps on the lights along the streets and even reducing
the number of lights. That would keep the crows from roosting there at
night. Crows are attracted to light because they feel safer in places
where they can see nighttime predators such as owls. That’s why they
like downtown areas or open fields where the moon provides light.
For more information about crows in Auburn contact us and we’ll be
happy to put you in touch with Rita Sarnicola.
