Weather radar picks up over 1 million migrating birds
Twice a year, migratory birds travel thousands of miles in pursuit of food and nesting habitats in warmer regions. In the United States alone, around 3.5 billion birds arrive in the spring, with peak migration periods in April and May. This migration is so large that sometimes meteorologists pick it up on weather radar. A whopping 1,417,900 birds flew over Albany County in New York between Monday night at 8:10 p.m. and Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. EDT– more than enough to be spotted on a weather radar.
'The Migration of the birds continue,' Steve Caporizzo, chief meteorologist at News10 Albany, wrote in a Facebook post. 'On Radar you can actually see them. Typically [they] take off in flight around 8-830pm…..right after sunset. They migrate at an average elevation of 1,400ft.'
In the pictures shared by Caporizzo, bright green splotches appear on radar images, with particularly intense ones in the image from 9 p.m. According to bird migration tracking platform BirdCast, the birds soaring over Albany on Monday night likely included Baltimore orioles, American redstarts, scarlet tanagers, and great crested flycatcher, among others.
Weather radar antennas work by shooting bursts of microwave energy into their surroundings, and then measuring the energy that reflects back to detect rain, snow, or hail in clouds. During World War II, British radar operators documented strange reflections that had nothing to do with the weather, and it wasn't until 1958 that a high school student in the US discovered that the mysterious signals were flocks of birds.
[ Related: Why do birds migrate? Scientists have a few major theories. ]
Bird migrations are perilous journeys. Besides requiring enormous amounts of energy, the animals face predators, bad weather, and collisions with human-made structures. Most birds migrate at night, and artificial lights can confuse and disorient them. Every year, over 1 billion birds die because of collisions with buildings in North America, with most deaths occurring in cities during migrations.
As such, 'knowing when the peak [bird migration] period of an area is can help inform both birding and conservation action,' wrote Andrew Farnsworth, an expert in radar ornithology and a visiting scientist at Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (one of the groups that runs BirdCast). It can 'inform people what days it is most critically important to participate in turning out lights to reduce the collision risk and other hazards created by light pollution for migratory birds.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
‘Very rare' oarfish washes up on beach, sparking doomsday fears: ‘We're cooked, aren't we?'
Is there about to be an apocalypse? A rare 'doomsday' oarfish has washed ashore yet again — this time in Australia, sparking fears that a catastrophe could be around the corner. 'I just knew it was something unusual and weird,' Sybil Robertson told the Guardian of the 'fantastic' flotsam, which she discovered while walking her dog on Ocean Beach in Tasmania on Monday. Advertisement The Strahan resident became curious after seeing a streak of silver on the beach, and, when she approached, she realized that it was a massive sea creature. 3 An oarfish sighting is 'a very rare occasion when one washes ashore,' said Neville Barrett, a fish biologist and associate professor with the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. A beachgoer found the one above earlier this week in Tasmania. Sybil Robertson 'I could see it was a long fish, but I had no idea what kind of fish,' Robertson recounted to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 'As I got closer, I could see the beautiful coloring around its head, and the markings on it were fabulous.' Advertisement Aside from a few injuries, the shimmery specimen appeared to be in good condition. The Aussie posted pics of the serpentine sea creature to the 'Citizen Scientists of Tasmania' Facebook page, where marine experts confirmed that the ethereal-looking animal was an oarfish. 3 Robertson found the critter (pictured) while walking her dog on Ocean Beach in Tasmania. Sybil Robertson This particular specimen appeared to be around nine feet long, much smaller than their maximum size of 56 feet — the longest of any bony fish. Advertisement Scientists said the find was particularly special since the creepy critters generally reside at depths of up to around 1,650 feet deep. 'It's a very rare occasion when one washes ashore,' said Neville Barrett, a fish biologist and associate professor with the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. 'There's not many reportings at all.' He said that very few people have seen the denizens of the deep alive. 3 This giant oarfish was found washed up on the California coast in 2013. Catalina Island Marine Institute Advertisement In the unlikely event that the elusive critters do surface, they are likely sick or close to death, according to scientists 'Occasionally, when they are sick, apparently, they swim up to the surface for unknown reasons,' Barrett said. However, superstitious folks have viewed the oarfish as a sign of doom. According to Japanese mythology, the serpentine plankton-eaters will purposely rise to the surface and beach themselves whenever they sense that trouble's on the horizon. In fact, doomsday fears ramped up during Japan's deadly 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami when dozens of the pelagic beasts washed ashore in the two years preceding the catastrophe. Doomsdayers on Reddit felt this latest sighting was another sign of the apocalypse, with one writing, 'We're cooked, aren't we?' 'Tasmania should evacuate. Or batten down the hatches,' declared another. Advertisement A third warned, 'The oarfish is seen as a horrible omen. Like a black cat breaking a mirrored salt shaker under a ladder bad.' However, Barrett said he doesn't 'put much credence' in this theory, claiming that a beached oarfish is just a 'random event' — rather than a bad omen. 'There's no real evidence there's any linkage,' he said. 'I can imagine a significant earthquake could disturb mid-water fish and stun them and lead to some coming up, but that's at the same time [as the disaster].'
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Why ‘Life's Essential 8' is the ‘roadmap' to living longer — and being healthier into old age
Cardiovascular disease doesn't just break hearts — it stops them. The nation's top killer claimed one in five American deaths in 2022, but experts say a few smart moves could keep your name off that list. 'Adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s seeking a roadmap for cardiovascular health are encouraged to look at the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8,' Dr. Matthew Tomey, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, told The Post. Advertisement 7 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Reese Coop/ – But no matter your age, the path to a stronger heart is still wide open. 'Today is the day that you can get on track,' Tomey said. 'Even if you have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease that runs in your family, your choices still matter!' These are the eight essential steps to keep your ticker in top shape so that you can live a longer and healthier life. Advertisement #1: Improve your diet 'The more plants the better,' Dr. Sanjai Sinha, an internist at The Health Center at Hudson Yards, told The Post. 'The Mediterranean diet is the most effective diet with the best data.' That diet, shaped by the eating habits of 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, focuses on nutrient-packed whole grains, fresh produce, legumes, nuts, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and plenty of antioxidant-rich olive oil. The science backs it up: A 2023 analysis out of the University of Sydney found that women who followed the Mediterranean diet cut their risk of heart disease and early death by nearly 25%. Advertisement Other research suggests it lowers key risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. 7 Certain foods can raise your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and contribute to inflammation. Monstar Studio – #2: Get moving 'The data behind exercise in reducing inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, cancer, and dementia are all strong,' Sinha said. In fact, research suggests that a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for heart disease and stroke to levels on par with cigarette smoking. Advertisement Despite this, government data shows that only 28% of Americans are meeting the CDC's physical activity guidlines. 7 Even small amounts of exercise can give your heart health a major boost. bongkarn – The agency recommends that US adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activities. 'Even if you can't 'exercise', movement regularly, including at least 5 minutes out of every 30 you're sitting in front of a screen, is crucial,' Sinha said. #3: Quit tobacco Tobacco use is trending down, but as of 2022, nearly 29 million Americans were still smoking cigarettes. The CDC estimates that smoking is to blame for 1 in 4 deaths rom cardiovascular disease — amounting to 140,000 lives lost each year to heart-related illness tied directly to cigarettes. 7 Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. emiphoto111 – Advertisement Studies show that smoking blood vessels, promotes dangerous plaque buildup in the arteries, reduces oxygen flow to vital organs, and drives up blood pressure, heart rate and clot risk. And it's not just smokers at risk — secondhand smoke exposure also increases the odds of major health problems like heart attack and stroke. #4: Get enough sleep Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye a night to stay sharp and protect their health. Advertisement But about a third of U.S. adults — and a staggering three-quarters of high schoolers — aren't getting enough sleep, according to the CDC. That can give your heart a big beating. 7 Not getting enough sleep will do more than leave you feeling groggy in the morning. Getty Images/iStockphoto Too little sleep can trigger a fight-or-flight response in the body, driving up heart rate and blood pressure. It also fuels inflammation and messes with hormones — both of which can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease. Advertisement 'See a doctor if you're having trouble getting to or staying asleep,' Sinha told The Post. It could be a sign that you have a sleep disorder, which can also negatively impact your heart health. #5: Manage your weight More than 2 in 5 US adults are living with obesity, along with 1 in 5 children and adolescents, according to the CDC. And it's not just a cosmetic concern. Excess weight puts a major strain on the heart, potentially leading to high blood pressure, plaque buildup, irregular heartbeat and other problems that can damage both the muscle and blood vessels. 7 Obesity rates have been steadily rising in the US in recent decades. Prostock-studio – Advertisement 'You will gain weight, and gain fat more than muscle, if you don't focus on eating well and exercising while you're in your forties and older,' Sinha warned. But too little weight isn't great for your heart either. The American Heart Association (AHA) considers a healthy BMI to be under 25 — and anything under 18.5 to be underweight. #6, 7 and 8: Control your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels High cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar are silent killers — and all three are major drivers of heart disease. 7 Simple interventions, like high blood pressure medication, can make a big difference when it comes to your heart health. Natee Meepian – Left unchecked, they can damage the arteries that supply blood to your heart and brain, weaken the heart muscle and lead to deadly consequences. 'The key about these last 3 is that you have to get to your primary care doctor regularly to know what these numbers are,' Sinha said. And no, that doesn't mean urgent care. Unlike the first five lifestyle changes in the AHA's 'Life's Essential 8,' Sinha noted that these three risk factors can often be addressed quickly with medication while you work on long-term fixes. 'These 3 factors, when uncontrolled, will lead to a shortened lifespan through increased risk for diabetes, heart attacks and strokes,' he said. 'They will also play a role in increasing your risk for cancer,' Sinha added.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Peer Robotics Unveils Peer 3000, its Most Flexible and Intelligent Collaborative Mobile Robot to Date
Ground-up design eliminates integration headaches and brings end-to-end material-handling automation within reach of small-to-midsize manufacturers DETROIT and NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Peer Robotics, a leader in robotic automated movement solutions for factory and industrial settings, today announced Peer 3000, the next generation of its collaborative mobile robot platform. Peer 3000 is engineered to solve the long-standing problem of incompatibility with existing assets. Building on the company's strong human-centered approach to autonomous mobile robots, Peer 3000 provides factory and warehouse teams, as well as system integrators, with the ability to deploy full-scale material-handling automation without modification of pallets, trolleys, or carts within current facility infrastructure. "Manufacturing operations shouldn't have to change their workflows to adopt automation," said Rishabh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Peer Robotics. "The Peer 3000 platform represents a complete reversal of traditional automation thinking—instead of forcing facilities to adapt to robots, we've created robots that adapt to existing operations, delivering immediate value without disruption." Peer 3000's patented design combines a cluster of overhead cameras for real-time mapping and navigation with a universal load-handling system that accommodates various trolley and pallet types without modification, enabling safe, efficient material transport across factory floors. Its intuitive human-feedback system allows workers to train the robot by physically guiding it, removing technical barriers that have long hindered automation adoption among Small and Medium Manufacturers (SMMs). All intelligence is processed on-board through edge computing, eliminating the need for complex IT infrastructure or cloud connectivity—a critical advantage for manufacturers with limited technical resources. "The Peer 3000 is truly a game-changing robot that will revolutionize surface-to-surface pallet movement," said Jamie Callihan, Owner & President of JLC Robotics LLC. "With crucial features like trolley grab and the ability to pick American, Euro, or custom pallets weighing up to 3000 lbs on the same platform, we are going to simplify many operations and create significant value for our customers. Our message to the marketplace is to simplify material movement, and we can uphold that promise with the Peer Robotics line of AMRs." Seamlessly fitting into virtually any floor layout, the Peer 3000 platform's flexibility is further enhanced by Peer's robust control and monitoring dashboard that allows for detailed operations flow planning. With this capability, entire jobs can be automated from end to end, including the pickup and dropoff of multiple assets in sequence, eliminating the need for manual staging or reassignment. "Our collaboration with Peer Robotics over the years has helped many customers improve efficiencies and reduce costs," said Varun Vashisht, VP of Sales & Strategy at Trilogy NextGen. "The introduction of the new Peer 3000 platform to the portfolio has our installed base excited about all the new capabilities and use cases they can enable adding significant value to their business. Our customers are excited to add the new hardware to their existing fleets and expand their automation capabilities even further." The Peer 3000 platform is a significant step toward future-proofing larger enterprises by allowing them to standardize based on an adaptable robotic solution that works with a large variety of assets. The result is higher throughput, lower costs, and a rapid ROI. For specifications, pricing, and integration questions, visit or contact sales@ About Peer RoboticsPeer Robotics builds collaborative mobile robots that learn from humans in real time, automating tasks with speed and safety. Peer's robots make automation simple, affordable, and scalable for manufacturing and warehouse workflows of any size, while providing granular control over complete operations. With deployments across US, Europe, and India, Peer Robotics provides seamless material-movement solutions that reduce human fatigue and drive production. Learn more at View original content: SOURCE Peer Robotics
