Local News: April 5, 2024

- Tompkins Whole Health issues eclipse safety reminders -

Tompkins County isn’t in the “zone of totality” but a partial eclipse will be visible. Tompkins Whole Health says people should still be careful on April 8. Health officials say don’t look directly at the sun during the eclipse. Even a partial eclipse can cause temporary or permanent eye damage. You should only look directly at it with certified eclipse glasses. Do not use sunglasses. More information about how to view the eclipse safely is here including ways to view it indirectly.

- Eclipse - Bird behavior & eclipse -

We’ve been highlighting some eclipse-related events and information over the past few days. Andrew Farnsworth is a scientist with Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology. He studies bird migrations. He says a full eclipse has a noticeable effect on birds.

"Well, there’s a lot of confusion for sure. Light is a really important cue for many animals and birds in particular. So when light starts to disappear at an unexpected time it definitely creates some conflicts in the way that they’re sensing the world," he said.

Farnsworth says there’s a cascade of animal behaviors that change as it gets dark.

"Insects stop flying. Birds that are chasing them stop flying. Birds that are using thermals like raptors, like vultures, hawks and things will start to descend," he said.

He says you don’t have to leave home to see birds reacting to the eclipse.

"Looking at birds at your feeder you may see a very increased activity, sort of a pulse like you might at the end of the day as birds are getting that last bit of food before at the feeder before going off to roost," Farnsworth said.

He said scientists across the continent are hoping to get the answer to a big question.

"Is the change in light strong enough to initiate nocturnal migration…basically an exodus, flying, taking off; usually it’s about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset when it occurs at night. Are we gonna we see that?" he said.

Farnsworth says scientists will be watching radar for distinct colors that tell them birds are starting to migrate. We’ll try to check in with him after April 8 to find out.

Happy Eclipse Day, Neighbors.