Western Pennsylvania has been losing animal habitat rapidly (“Where have the wild birds gone? 3 billion fewer than 1970,” Sept. 19, TribLIVE). Fracking, pipelines and other energy-related adventures have not only affected birds in terms of forest and meadow lost, but we also have noise and bright lights that blur the boundary between night and day.
Look around as you drive. The proliferation of new housing plans and the continuous expansions of highways is taking away bird habitats.
Pittsburgh is a large travel hub with its international airport and thousands of flights that create noise, light and jet fuel vapors, producing an unfriendly area for birds.
The amount of growth in our area is outstripping nature’s ability to cope. I expect to see continuous reduction in bird populations. Pennsylvania is not helping them.
Daniel P. Burick
Sharpsville