New York Federal Judge Rules for the Birds

The Associated Press reports an attempt to scale back protections on wild birds in the United States is having its wings clipped by a federal judge in New York state.

U.S. Judge Valerie Caproni ruled August 11 against the argument by President Donald Trump's Administration that tried to change the bird species protected under the  Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The Trump administration tried to argue the act only applied to intentional killing of birds and not "incidental" bird kills from industrial activity like mining pits and wind turbines.

Ironically, protections for the wind industry comes as the President in the past has blasted the alternative energy industry, specifically citing the danger turbines pose to birds.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act passed after many U.S. bird populations had been nearly wiped out by hunting and poaching.

The AP report says administration argued the deaths of birds that fly into oil and mining pits or wind turbines, for example, should not be subject to prosecution.