Reduce Artificial Lights at Night to Help Migrating Birds
Every spring and fall, the night sky becomes a superhighway for billions of migrating birds. They navigate by the stars, but lights from our homes and businesses can throw them off course. Artificial lighting can attract and disorient birds, pulling them into dangerous urban areas and increasing the risk of fatal building collisions. It’s an invisible problem with a very visible impact.
The good news is that helping birds can be as easy as flipping a switch. Turning off non-essential lights gives migrating birds a clearer path and helps them stay oriented on their long journey. That simple action is at the heart of the growing global “Lights Out” movement, which protects birds while also saving energy and cutting utility costs.
Small changes like these add up fast:
– Turn off lights when you’re not using them
– Dim indoor lighting at night or close your blinds
– Skip decorative landscape lighting after dark
– Aim outdoor lights downward or use lighting shields
Use motion sensors to activate lights only when they’re actually needed
Protecting migratory birds doesn’t require special gear or big commitments, just a little awareness and a habit change. By choosing darker nights, you’re helping birds travel safely, conserving energy and doing something genuinely good for the planet. That’s a pretty powerful move for something that starts with a light switch.
(Taken from Wild Birds Unlimited of S. Yarmouth eNewsletter)