Aidez les oiseaux / Help the Birds was the subject

My sister forwarded this email to me that she received from her friend at Environment Canada. No joke. Actually, maybe it's a joke. My comments are in red.


************** Canadian Wildlife Service Migration Alert *************

Help the birds – turn off the lights! I don't want to help birds.

Hundreds of thousands of birds will soon be winging (what clever word usage) their way back to Canada, filling the skies with song (which is freaking annoying, especially in the morning). Unfortunately, human-built structures, especially highly reflective or brightly lit structures, can pose a fatal obstacle to birds. Birds in flight are confused by lights, mirrored glass and windows. (ie birds are stupid) The good news is we can all take simple steps NOW to significantly reduce bird collisions.

Up to 100 million birds die in collisions each year in North America.

STEP #1 – Know when migrating birds are passing through your region
Atlantic Canada: April 5 to June 7
East-Central Canada: April 1 to June 7
Prairie Canada: April 15 to June 7 thank god I'll be out of the country for this
Pacific Canada: April 1 to June 7
STEP #2 – Consider the following measures to counteract collisions

For building managers:
ensure that non-essential exterior lights are shut off between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
encourage occupants to take some of the actions mentioned below

For building occupants:
make sure you either turn off your office lights when you leave, or pull your blinds down to block indoor light
at home - turn off spotlights or other exterior lights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
keep pet cat(s) indoors
consider the potential lethality of house windows to birds when designing a garden - don't plant bushes too close to windows Yes, let the birds dictate your creative freedom
consider hanging bird deterrent devices (such as old compact discs and tin can lids) (decorate your house with crap! You can pick some of it up at the local landfill too!) at windows that pose a high risk (like picture windows)

For more information:

Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP): http://www.flap.org/new/nestegg.htm
Canada Green Building Council: www.cagbc.org
Lights Out Chicago: www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/BirdMigration/sub/lights_out_chicago.html
Birds and Buildings Forum, Chicago: www.birdsandbuildings.org
New York City Audubon: http://nycaudubon.org/NYCASBirdWatch


ALSO---
REAL BABIES SHOULD NEVER SMOKE!
I also read this in the news today. The reason that this is funny is because my friend has one of these. If you look closely at this picture, you can even see the smoke coming out of smoking baby's cigarette.