More than half of North American bird species migrate each year, ranging from short distances to treks that can take them from Canada all the way down to South America. We’re in the thick of spring migration right now, and experts recommend a particular thing you can do to make sure birds get to their destinations safely.
The spring bird migration in North America runs from March through June, but its peak is mid-April to mid-May. During this crucial period, switching off lights can be a big help. The Lights Out campaign encourages businesses and residents to shut off or dim unnecessary lights at night during migratory seasons, particularly between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The reason for this movement is that lights can attract or disorient birds, which can cause them to fly ceaselessly after getting lost and can put them at risk of urban threats, like cats and toxins. Further, up to a billion building collisions occur among birds each year, and lights play a big role in that. Birds that are already of conservation concern can end up victim to these fallouts, as well.
BirdCast, a service run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, shows you current migratory bird movement in your area, as well as forecasts. This can help inform you of the highest traffic times.
The BirdCast website says, “Lights Out is a win-win for birds and cities, and the people who love both. By working together toward a dark sky every spring and fall, we will keep birds safely on course and out of harm’s way. Each light matters, and your commitment makes all the difference.”
To check out the BirdCast maps, click here. To learn about another way to help our winged friends, click here!
