Each year during spring migration many birds that are navigating the night sky become disoriented from artificial building lighting. Not only does city lighting deter the navigational abilities of migrating birds, but it also leads to an increase in fatal building collisions, killing an estimated billion birds annually.
Play a part in helping birds survive and thrive this season by:
- Making your windows safer by installing screens and breaking up reflections.
- Diming or turn off nonessential lights. Exterior security lighting is more bird friendly when directed downward rather than into the sky.
- Enjoying birds while helping science and conservation. Your observations will provide valuable information to show where birds are thriving or declining. Take part in the Third Breeding Bird Atlas.
New York State-owned and operated buildings participate in the Lights Out Initiative and turn off all non-essential lighting from 11 pm to dawn during peak bird migrations in the spring and fall.
Photo of gray catbird by Jeffrey Werner.
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