The Davis City Council voted earlier this year to lease the Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant (DWTP) ponds to BrightNight, a solar company. Although the ponds are no longer used by DWTP, the ponds still collect rain water and are one of the top birding spots in Yolo County – over 200 species have been recorded in eBird.
BrightNight plans to turn the ponds into a solar array. According to a letter sent to the Davis City Council by the Yolo Audubon Society “larger (solar) arrays in open spaces are notorious bird killers. From a distance, at the right angle, the panels look like a body of water, and attract birds.” Not only will the BightNight plan result in the loss of vital habitat but also raise the risk of bird mortality from birds crashing into the solar panels.
It’s not too late to stop this disastrous project. Davis birder and blogger Steve Hampton provides us with the background on the ponds’ project as well who to contact to protest this deal. Add your voice to those speaking out against this project. Protect the ponds!
Long-billed Dowitcher
Image by Ray Rozema
According to eBird, the Long-billed Dowitcher is often seen at the DWWTP ponds.