Reduce Lights at Night to Save Migrating Birds

Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate across North America, navigating mostly under the cover of darkness. Artificial lights pose a serious threat, attracting and disorienting the birds, leading to dangerous collisions with buildings. The solution is simple: Flip the switch, and turn off the lights.

By reducing unnecessary lighting, the growing international "Lights Out" movement is making an impact, saving birds while conserving energy and lowering costs.

As fall migration gets underway, here are some ways you can keep the skies darker at night and help birds stay out of harm’s way:

• Turn off non-essential lights from 11 PM until 6 AM during critical migration periods.
• Turn off or dim lobby and atrium lights.
• Turn off or dim interior home lighting or draw blinds to prevent light escaping.
• Turn off decorative landscape lighting.
• Turn off lights before leaving the home or office.
• Be sure outside lights are aimed down and well shielded.
• Install motion sensors on outside lights to reduce use.