CC 03-02-2021 Oral Communications_Written CommunicationsCC 03-02-21
Oral
Communications
Written Comments
1
Cyrah Caburian
From:Connie Cunningham <cunninghamconniel@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, March 2, 2021 10:33 AM
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Oral Communications, Cunningham March 2, 2021 City Council
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Kirsten: I will present these oral communications myself. This written copy is for the written record. Best,
Connie
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Subject: March 2, 2021 Oral Communications
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members,
Thank you for this time. I have two things I would like to address.
First, I want to join with other voices to publicly condemn the recent hate crime attacks against Asians in the Bay Area. I
want to state publicly my support for the Asian community to raise awareness of these crimes. What can we do as a
community? I ask now for a moment of silence for us all to reflect on this question.
**********************************
2
My second topic is to describe to the Council and the many viewers on this ZOOM how many migrating birds pass
through or winter here in Cupertino. There are many migrating birds, including the American Robin, Cedar Waxwing,
Ruby‐crowned Kinglet, Western Tanager, White‐crowned Sparrow, Yellow‐rumped Warbler, Hooded Oriole and the
Golden‐crowned Sparrow. (See photos below*.)
This link shows the Golden‐crowned Sparrow's migration pattern.
https://ebird.org/science/status‐and‐trends/gocspa/abundance‐map‐weekly)
The Golden‐crowned Sparrow is found only in the far western areas of North America. It breeds in the summer in
Alaska. Then, in winter, flies more than 2 thousand, 5 hundred miles, to California. What a long journey for a 7‐inch long
bird. Yet, I see them every year in my neighborhood.
Birds migrate at night. Knowing this fact makes it clear why a Dark Skies Ordinance is critical. All these birds travel long
distances at night, arriving at their destinations tired, in need of a place to rest, food to eat, and water. Bright lights
distract them to spaces with none of these things.
Bright lights cause human illness, too. Protecting birds is protecting ourselves.
Collisions with glass occur wherever birds are active. Migratory and young birds are more vulnerable. They are
unfamiliar with the area.
Glass and lighting are a deadly combination.
Cities need to offer all these birds, safe passage. To that end, limiting bright lights and limiting glass that birds cannot
see are both critical.
We have lost 30% of the bird population in the US since 1970. Birds cannot fix this. People must fix this. Cupertino’s
leadership to protect birds and the environment is desperately needed.
Thank you, Cupertino City Council, for your work to date on this critical Ordinance. I urge you to approve it when it
comes to Council.
I want all our grandchildren to be able to see these birds that bring joy, flight, and sound to our lives!
Connie Cunningham
Have lived in Cupertino 34 years
Golden‐crowned Sparrow
3
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
4
Ruby‐crowned Kinglet
Western Tanager
5
White‐crowned Sparrow
Yellow‐rumped Warbler
6
Hooded Oriole
*All the birds were photographed within walking distance of our home, except the Western Tanager. We look forward to
seeing him nearby someday.
•Birds migrate at night
•Too much light causes
human illness
•Collisions with glass occur
wherever birds are active
•Migratory and young birds
more vulnerable
•Glass and lighting are a
deadly combination
•Safe passage is desperately
needed
•Bird population has declined
30% since 1970
Golden-crowned Sparrow