Message of light pollution spreads at speed of light

Those Daily Herald newspaper carriers really get around. Comments on my recent column on light pollution came from as far away as Duluth, Minnesota and New Zealand. Just goes to show that we belong to a global neighborhood and news from our Neighbor section reaches across oceans and continents.

Dagwood Latif of New Zealand found my column online and e-mailed the following response: "It is tragic that we ignore light pollution which is more controllable than global warming. (The solution) will aid energy efficiency therefore reduce carbon emissions."

Dagwood continues, "I am glad you are addressing the flora and fauna and the effects of stray lighting worldwide. We have a lot work to do in this area."

Bob King, a photographer with the Duluth Herald Tribune and a longtime astronomy buff, e-mailed his experience with light pollution which reaches well into the wilderness of the Northwoods. He sent the link to a satellite photo which sheds light on the magnitude of the problem across the globe.

The photo is "enlightening" to say the least, and it demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt how far-reaching light pollution is.

Yes, dark is beautiful. And critically important. Soon after my column ran, I came across a scientific paper on the endangered American burying beetle. The main cause of this little critter's decline? Light pollution. Most of us have never seen nor heard of Nicrophorus americanus but its low profile does not diminish its importance. This insect buries entire carcasses and lays eggs in the rotting flesh underground. The eggs mature to larvae which then consume the cadaver.

Just think, if not for the burying beetle, there would be carcasses lying around all over the place and we'd be tripping over stinky dead things. That would lead to higher levels of pathogenic bacteria, more maggots, and general unpleasantness for all. If this doesn't motivate you to turn off your porch lights, I don't know what will.

Many readers commented on my recent column about overwintering and the ways that animals hang tough during the brutal winter. One reader wondered why I didn't include the white tail deer in my commentary of animals that survive the winters here.

As I look out my office window into the snowy woods and watch hungry herds helping themselves to the native shrubs, trees and wildflowers that I strive to protect, perhaps I subconsciously begrudge the fact that they overwinter at our expense. Gotta hand it to them, though, they are survivors. There will be many new little Bambis on the way this spring, hard-wired like their parents to eat their way through native plants and landscaping during the next snowy winter.

Here are things to watch, listen, and smell for as spring unfolds:

Skunk cabbage and skunks: Skunk cabbage is in full bloom in wet woods now. It is, without a doubt, our most bizarre spring wildflower - and it's also the first to bloom each year. You can find it at Big Rock Forest Preserve and Bliss Woods in low, wet spots. It does indeed stink, as its name implies.

As for the plant's namesake, skunks are on the move. This is prime mating time for them, and as the males search for females many end up as roadkill. In seven to ten weeks skunk litters will be born - and then the fun really starts. They will be wandering with Mom learning about the big world. Which could, of course, be your back yard. Keep an eye out for them and avoid being baptized by their musk!

Bird songs and bird migration: Each morning as daylight breaks, the bird world is increasingly audible. Male birds are quite full of themselves - due to soaring hormone levels - and they are revving up for courtship. They do this mainly by song.

We birders have ways of recognizing and remembering bird songs, usually by putting words to their calls. For example, you may hear chickadees proclaiming "Spring's here! Spring's here!" Male cardinals warm up their vocal chords with emphatic "What CHEER! What CHEER! What CHEER!" Another alluring call for the ladies is the male cardinal's "Whit-whit-WHITTIER!"

Chickadees and cardinals are year-round residents here, but there are incoming flights nightly as bird migration has begun. One of the earliest arrivals is the Eastern Phoebe. He hoarsely calls out his name "FEE-be! FEE-be! FEE-be!" His arrival is timed with the emergence of insects, a dietary mainstay year-round.

Listen, too, for red-winged Blackbirds who return each year in mid- to late February. I heard the first males on Valentine's Day. The guys arrive first and immediately get to work setting up territories before the females arrive. You can hear the males proclaiming their turf with calls of "konk-la-REE!"

And speaking of migrating birds, we come full circle to the topic of light pollution. Migration has begun, and millions of birds will be migrating in the next two months, mostly at night. Thousands will die from the distraction of lights and buildings. From Kane County to Duluth and New Zealand, light pollution takes a huge toll on night-flying birds.

The solution is simple, inexpensive and immediate: turn off the switch. When you turn off your outdoor lights, step outside and listen. You might hear the soft "peeps" which birds use to keep in contact with each other in their traveling flocks. And if you're blessed with really good hearing, you might hear the wing beats of thousands of birds on the move under cover of night.

Let me know about your experience of spring. From near or far, contact me with your questions, comments, observations, and ponderings. You can reach me at blainevalerie@kaneforest.com or call (847) 741-9924.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Celebrate spring</p> <p class="News">Here are some ways you can celebrate spring in Kane County:</p> <p class="News"><b>Maple sugaring festival:</b> Take part in the time-honored tradition of maple sugaring at our annual maple sugaring festivals, held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at Tekakwitha Woods in St. Charles and on Sunday, March 15 at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn. </p> <p class="News">You can try your hand at drilling and tapping a maple tree and stirring the simmering sap over an open fire. Naturalists and volunteers will demonstrate the variety of methods of maple tapping from American Indian origins to American pioneers and the modern maple syrup industry. Representatives from the local Slow Foods Convivium and Heritage Prairie Market will be on hand to sell the first of this season's harvest of syrup. You'll learn how to identify maples, oaks, and other native trees during guided hikes through the woods. Bring the whole family for this free festival. Call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com for more information.</p> <p class="News"><b>The World of Woodcocks:</b> A sure sign of spring is the sound of woodcocks at dusk. Come hear for yourself during an outdoor class from 6:30 - 8 p.m. March 18 at Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles. </p> <p class="News">Instructor Jack Pomatto will present an introduction to Woodcock behavior, ecology, and adaptations. As the sky darkens, participants will head down the trail to find "front row seats" for the amazing air show to come. Male woodcocks will signal audibly as they begin their amazing aerial courtship displays.</p> <p class="News">The fee is $10 per person. Adults may register by calling (847) 741-8350 or e-mail <a href="mailto:programs@kaneforest.com">programs@kaneforest.com</a>.</p> <p class="News">Campton Forest Preserve is at 4N379 Town Hall Road, St. Charles.</p>