As fall approaches, millions of birds set out on their incredible nighttime journeys south. Most birds migrate after dark, navigating by the stars and moon. You can watch live and forecasted migration maps at birdcast.info.
However, artificial lighting from homes and businesses poses a serious threat to migrating birds. Bright lights can be disorienting, causing them to stray off course, expend precious energy, and even collide with buildings. It’s estimated that up to a billion birds die in the United States each year from building collisions and light pollution is a major contributing factor.
We can help protect migrating birds by turning off lights when not needed, choosing fixtures with shields and pointing them downwards, and using dimmer warmer toned lights. Even closing the blinds at night can keep indoor light from confusing birds as they fly overhead. Taking these steps not only helps birds, but also reduces energy usage, cuts costs, and improves human health by protecting our circadian rhythms.
The city of Northampton has a lighting ordinance which embraces the five principles for responsible outdoor lighting, and puts limits on when commercial lights should be on. Want to learn more about bird-friendly lighting and the city ordinance? Check out Northampton City Light’s brochure for tips and resources. Together, we can make Northampton a safer stopover for migrating birds and enjoy a starlit sky for ourselves. Learn more online here: https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-principles/, https://northamptoncitylights.org/brochure, and https://birdcast.info.
Christina White and Catherine Moriarty
Florence