Take Action for Birds by Friday, Jan. 23!!

LVAS Environmental/Conservation Note:

We begin the new year with a few glimmers of hope for birds, the environment and us. By taking a couple of simple actions, each of us can make those glimmers a little bit brighter: 

 Take Action for Birds by Friday, Jan. 23!!

1) Oppose -- no later than Friday, Jan. 23 -- a federal plan to vastly expand off-shore oil drilling, including in the high Arctic. More than 200 bird species nest in the Arctic; oil spills and habitat disruption from oil rigs are only two of the ways this plan could prove devastating for birds. You can voice your opposition using forms from Earthjustice or the Center for Biological Diversity. As always, be sure to personalize your comment by changing some of the words or adding your own thoughts. 

If, like me, you sometimes feel your comments will fall on proverbial "deaf ears," take heart: These comments don't just tell the government how you feel; they also help build a case that environmental litigators will use to try to stop the most destructive Trump administration policies in the courts. 

2) Oppose the Senate version of the SPEED Act, a measure that would gut the National Environmental Policy Act, fast-tracking drilling / mining and other potentially destructive projects by eliminating environmental and judicial review and cutting the public out of the decision-making process. Unfortunately, Lehigh Valley Congressman Ryan Mackenzie voted for the SPEED Act To try to make sure it doesn't become law, use this American Bird Conservancy link to contact your Senators.

3) Closer to home, urge your Pennsylvania lawmakers to make our state the first in the nation to ban the highly toxic herbicide Paraquat, which is deadly to birds. A House bill to ban Paraquat -- HB 1135 -- has already been introduced, and a version with bipartisan support is being prepared in the Senate. For more information and to contact your lawmakers, click here. 

Now, for a little good news: The U.S. House and Senate passed a 2026 limited spending package that mostly continues current funding levels for several agencies important to birds -- the Department of Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While far from perfect -- the bill cuts climate research and does nothing to solve chronic agency under-funding, for example -- it is a significant improvement over Trump's request for drastic cuts in environmental programs. 

All of our federal lawmakers voted for this funding bill. When Rep. Mackenzie voted yea, however, it included almost 150 anti-environment riders -- all thankfully removed by the Senate. If you feel motivated to thank Mackenzie for his vote on the bill, be sure to also mention that you were grateful the Senate dumped all the riders, and that you were disappointed in his support of the SPEED Act.  

Thanks, on behalf of the birds!

-- Liz Brensinger, Conservation Chair

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER NATURAL HISTORY And CONSERVATION

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER NATURAL HISTORY And CONSERVATION

North American River Otter

Learn about the largest member of the weasel family found in our region, the North American River Otter. Uncover their basic natural history, their decline and conservation success story, and more, with cameos from the Da Vinci Science Center’s otters. 

Brandon Swayser, Director of Environmental Science and Living Collections at the Da Vinci Science Center presented this program. 

A great program for the kids!

For those that missed this LVAS program on September 25, 2025 or those who wish to see it again, following is the link to the program recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1mL0-juYHg

LVAS: September 5th Field Trip to View Chimney Swifts & Follow-up Report

Chimney Swifts photo credit: Peter Saenger

By late summer, Chimney Swifts have left their nest sites and are gathering in large numbers in preparation for migration to South America. The sight of Chimney Swifts gathering at dusk and funneling into communal roosts in chimneys can be impressive. The past week or two has seen good numbers of Swifts at the chimney at Raub Middle School in Allentown.

When: 7:15 p.m. on Friday, September 5. We will be done by 8:15

Where: We will watch from the top of the St. Luke's Hospital parking deck that is directly opposite the school.

Park along the street at Raub Middle School, 102 St. Cloud St., Allentown.  (Please do not use the hospital parking deck unless you are unable to walk or ride the elevator to the top of the deck. ) 

Come up to the top, open floor and look for us across from the school chimney.

This is an accessible field trip for anyone with mobility limitations, since you can drive up to the viewing spot if necessary. Bring a folding chair if you will need to sit down.

Note: Swift numbers can vary a lot as they move through. A large group can be there one day and gone the next. No guarantees!

Chimney Swift viewing trip Report:

DATE: September 5, 2025
Leader: Barbara Malt
Participants: 23

We met to view the Chimney Swifts gathering to roost at the Raub Middle School in Allentown. We were treated to large numbers of swifts congregating and swirling over the chimney. Eventually the swirling cloud of birds became tighter and individuals began to drop into the chimney.

We estimated at least 2,000 Swifts.

Glue Traps Kill Birds! Use Circle Traps to Control Spotted Lanternflies More Effectively.

Goldfinch trapped on a sticky trap wrapped around a tree trunk, under the chicken wire that failed to protect bycatch from the trap intended for Spotted Lanternflies (SLFs) - photo from Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation

Even with wire and mesh coverings, glue traps (sticky bands) intended for Spotted Lanternflies (SLFs) remain dangerous, and unintended bycatch, like the Goldfinch in this photo, still occurs.

Wildlife Rehabilitators receive victims trapped on protected glue tape/ sticky band traps. Insects are still captured and birds will crawl in for a meal. Also, mesh can fall off or be pulled off by a squirrel on the trunk.

Need more convincing? View the Glue Victims Gallery.

Fortunately, scientists have learned that Circle Traps are more effective at trapping SLFs than sticky tape.

And you can buy circle traps or read Penn State Extension’s directions on how to make Spotted Lanternfly Circle Traps.

Spread the word about the dangers of glue traps and the benefits of circle traps using our social media kit.

Engage with Lehigh Valley Audubon Society to Help Preserve Birds and Habitat!
Become a member, volunteer &/or donor.

CALL TO ACTION!

As bird lovers, we understand that a healthy environment is essential to the well-being of not just birds, but of all species, including humans. Unfortunately, recent federal actions will have direct negative impacts on birds and the lands we share with them. These include regulatory rollbacks that will be destructive to public lands by allowing more pollution and harmful extractive activities, mass firings of federal employees who have critical roles in maintaining the health of our public lands, withholding of grant funds to clean up or protect the environment, and discontinuation of programs to limit the effects of climate change.

The health of nature transcends politics, affecting every single one of us. And the U.S. has long had a strong bipartisan consensus in support of conservation.

We encourage everyone reading this message to step up now to defend the birds you love and the environment that sustains us.

How?

As a start, call your member of Congress (in the Lehigh Valley, that’s Ryan Mackenzie, (202) 225-6411) and your two Senators (in PA, that’s John Fetterman, (202) 224-4254 and Dave McCormick, 202-224-6324). Ask them (or their voicemail ) to preserve – not cut! – funding for programs that protect the environment, support clean energy, and maintain our National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges and other key bird habitats.

THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A BUDGET RESOLUTION THIS WEEK (Feb. 24-28), SO CALLS TO RYAN MACKENZIE SHOULD BE MADE ASAP!

You might also consider:
• Signing up for Audubon’s Action Network, at https://www.audubon.org/takeaction
• Visiting the advocacy page of the League of Conservation Voters, at https://www.lcv.org/get-involved/#take-action-online
• Calling your lawmakers on a regular basis. Other topics might include: asking that personnel fired from agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service be reinstated; opposing the undermining of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act; and opposing expanded drilling and mining on public lands, including species-rich habitats such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Lastly, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is considering creating a Rapid-Response team – bird/nature lovers interested in being contacted about time-sensitive environmental and bird-conservation-related issues, with suggested scripts for contacting lawmakers.

If you would be interested in participating – or have any questions or suggestions -- please send an email to conservation@lvaudubon.org.

If you’re not a member of our Community Chapter of Audubon, please join and/or volunteer to help with our ongoing Lehigh Valley preservation, advocacy, and education efforts.

Bluebird Nest Box Tips from LVAS Habitat Committee!

Spring thaw is right around the corner!!

Eastern Bluebird at entrance to nest box - photo provided by Lehigh Gap Nature Center

Provide Clean Nest Boxes for Bluebirds

Now is a great opportunity to finish up some winter projects and get ready for nicer weather and some great birding.

If you are thinking about adding a bluebird box to your property, now is a great time to get it installed. Birds are slowly moving around and starting to inspect locations for nests this season.

If you have nest boxes up already, now is the time to get them cleaned out and ready for the next generation of bluebirds! No need to add material, simply remove any old nesting material or caches that rodents may have left for winter.

Keep an eye out for more bird/habitat tips!

If you’re not a member of our Community Chapter of Audubon, please join and/or volunteer to help with our ongoing Lehigh Valley habitat preservation efforts.

You can read summaries of some of our efforts to Preserve habitat in the Lehigh Valley, like our multi-species Nest Box Trail System, or read related, more detailed stories by clicking a tag or category to filter this page.

Additional Bluebird Nest Box Construction and Maintenance Information:

https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/birds/eastern-bluebird/

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box