CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- During spring and fall migration, billions of birds migrate through our night skies. Birds have been migrating at night for ages because there are calmer skies and fewer predators during this time. However, the night sky is now under threat from artificial light that is increasing globally by at least 2% per year.
Light pollution from homes, businesses and other infrastructure attracts and disorients migrating birds, making them more likely to land in areas where they are vulnerable to collisions with buildings and other hazards. Artificial light also impacts birds during the breeding and winter seasons as it disrupts feeding and other vital behaviors.
There are some simple actions that you can take to help:
- Reduce the amount of light outside your home and/or work: Turn off all non-essential nighttime lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during critical migration periods. For essential lights, use timers or motion detectors, and use the minimum wattage necessary. Added bonus—this will help save on energy costs!
- Close blinds at night to reduce the amount of light being emitted from windows.
- Change the color of your lights from cool to warm: Studies suggest that green and blue light attracts more birds than red or yellow light. Use light bulbs that emit warm lighting to minimize disturbance to birds.
- Direct all lighting downward: Place lights to illuminate the ground and use lighting shields to prevent shining into the sky.
For more information, please visit https://birdcast.info/science-to-action/lights-out/.