Most people are not aware of how many birds migrate at night. Billions of birds rely on dark skies with visible stars to “effectively navigate their nighttime migrations,” according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Unfortunately, as more people worldwide install night lighting both for decorative and safety reasons, 300 million to 1 billion birds are dying each year due to collisions with structures, according to the Smithsonian Division of Birds and the American Bird Conservancy.
JoAnne Skelly
The use of lighting definitely alters the night sky. I have noticed a big difference in our 37 years here. We can no longer look up at night and see the Milky Way or many of the constellations.
All these lights, particularly in spring and fall, impact night-migrating birds up to 3 miles away (FWS). The lights draw in birds, and they circle the lit-up area, often depleting their energy. They are also more at risk of colliding with buildings, especially when it’s foggy or clouds are low. The light reflecting on the clouds disorients the birds and hundreds of birds die on foggy nights. Even at times other than migration, all this extra light can cause birds to avoid their natural habitats, reducing their opportunity to thrive.
To restore a more natural habitat, turn off all unnecessary lights at night. At least turn them off during migration usually from April to June and August to November. Use motion sensor lighting for home or business safety reasons. Light up only intended areas rather than entire yards. Be more bird conscious and reduce the negative effects in lighting choices by changing the direction of the light, how long the light is on and the color of the light.
Use timers to automatically turn lights off. Do not use lights that face up to the sky or out into the landscape. If you must have lights, choose those low to the ground. Use warmer bulb colors: orange, red, or amber. Avoid blue, white or cooler lights. Keep lights dim. Close blinds and window treatments to “prevent light spill from windows,” according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
Migration forecast maps can help us all be more aware of bird habits: https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/. With bird populations in steep decline (D. Partridge, PhD. NYC Bird Alliance), we can help by reducing the lighting we use in and around our homes, landscapes and other structures.
— JoAnne Skelly is an Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Emerita, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.
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