| | The following are yearly excerpts from Wilifred Howard's reports on the fall mortality at this Elmira TV tower. Her reports were published in the BULLETIN OF THE CHEMUNG VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY. One account is also included from the New York State bird journal THE KINGBIRD. - "The new 850-foot WSYE-TV tower, three times taller than the previous tower, was completed in September 1963 at Elmira, NY. From 29 September through 4 October[1963], over 200 birds of 36 species, mostly warblers, and one bat were found dead at the tower. Casualties at the old tower were considerably less." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 16(1):2
- "During fall 1966, about 260 birds of 33 species, including over 200 on the cloudy night of 19-20 September, were found dead at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY. Total losses of 430 and 125 were recorded in the fall season of 1964 and 1965, respectively." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 19(1):1
- "Only 45 birds of at least 17 species were found dead during fall 1967 at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY. Predators no doubt removed other carcasses before they were collected." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 20(1):2
- About 260 birds of at least 30 species, mostly warblers, were found dead during fall 1968 at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY. About 200 birds died on the night of 25-26 September." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 21:2
- "The fall 1969 casualties at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY totaled over 300 birds of 44 species." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 22:3
- "During fall 1970, 220 birds of 37 species were killed at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY. Sixty birds died on the late night of 14 October." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 23:1
- "A record number of casualties - 454 birds of 46 species, including 2 bats - was found at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY during fall 1971. Over 225 birds died on the night of 29-30 September." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 24:1
- Casualties at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY totaled 138 birds of 30 species during fall 1972." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 25:1-2
- "A record total of 465 birds of 39 species, mostly warblers, was found dead at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY during 27-29 September 1973. Prior to this date, fewer than 100 casualties had been recorded in the month." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 26
- The highest total ever -- about 1,200 birds of 45 species -- was recovered at the WSYE-TV tower, Elmira, NY during fall 1974. On the night of 21-22 September, approximately 844 birds, including 246 Bay-breasted Warblers, were found dead." W. Howard BULL. CHEMUNG AUD. SOC. 27:4
"The record-breaking kills [fall 1977] at the TV towers in Elmira indicate that birds were going through despite the birders' inability to find them. In five rainy nights with low cloud ceilings, September 20-24, a record-breaking 3,862 birds were picked up dead at the base of this tower. On the night of September 19-20 alone, 1,817 birds of 39 species were killed. Of the overall total of 48 species there were 24 warblers, five vireos and four each of thrushes and flycatchers. One unusual victim was a Common Gallinule." Walter Benning, KINGBIRD vol. 28, no. 1, p.42. |