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Turning Off Lights for Bird Safety in New York State

Not only does city lighting interfere with migrating birds' navigation, but it also leads to an increase in fatal building collisions, killing an estimated 1 billion birds each year. many birds that navigate the night sky become disoriented from artificial building lighting. From the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ( NYS DEC):Įach year. during Safe Passages Great Lakes Days.It's spring migration time for many of the United State's native birds, and artificial lights from buildings, street lamps, and even home security lights can cause big problems for night-flying birds.

Property owners of tall buildings as well as residents or office workers are encouraged to turn off their lights or close their shades after 11 p.m. As a results of efforts by the Michigan Audubon Society, in partnership with Detroit Audubon Society and other local groups, the state of Michigan has declared these migration periods Safe Passage Great Lakes Days. Turning off lights or drawing the blinds on the fifth floor and above can help prevent bird deaths during peak migration seasons from March 15 to May 31 and August 15 to October 31. Windows only show them reflections of the sky, which disorients them. According to scientists, hundreds of millions of birds die annually as a result of these encounters with tall buildings.īirds commonly hit windows both at day and during the night because they cannot see glass.

Most of the birds rely on the stars and moon to guide their path, but well-lit urban areas present a danger as they navigate in darkness.īrightly-lit tall buildings disorient the birds and some will circle these buildings until their either die from colliding with the structure or from exhaustion. ANN ARBOR – During the spring and fall migrations, more than 250 birds migrate at night over Michigan.

Download turn off lights for bird migration