Waterfowl threatened by confusing roads with water

By DARCIE MORAN
Capital News Service
LANSING — Near-record ice and less open water on the Great Lakes are a growing concern for the safety of waterfowl in Michigan. Licensed rehabilitators say they have seen a “profound” increase in reports of waterfowl stranded on roadways that they confuse with open water. Once they land, some birds cannot take off again because their bodies are adapted to lifting off from water. Northernaire Wildlife Rescue owner Susan Good said this year she’s fielded at least 50 calls so far about stranded waterfowl. Typically her Cheboygan County business receives about six stranded bird reports each year from surrounding areas.

More holiday-eve airport snarls? Maybe not at Detroit, Grand Rapids

By LACEE SHEPARD
Capital News Service
LANSING – Future travel plans will become more frustrating on the day before major holidays, the U.S. Travel Association warns, but airport officials in Detroit and Grand Rapids aren’t concerned. An association report predicts that in the next 15 years, more than half of the world’s largest airports will face that problem due to increases in travelers. The report said in the first half of 2013, enplanements increased 3 percent, more than in past years. Michael Conway, director of public affairs at Detroit Metro Airport, says there are fewer holiday-eve delays now. “The waits are reducing and the reason is because there are less aircraft in the sky,” Conway said.