Megan's Nature Nook
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Each Spring and Fall millions of birds embark on the treacherous journey of migration. Over 250 songbird species migrate at night in an effort to make their journey a little easier. Traveling at night has some advantages such as calmer skies from less weather events at night, cooler temperatures, and the less likely chance of encountering raptors, like hawks and falcons, who migrate and hunt during the day. Although there are these advantages to night travel, it also comes with the dangers of light pollution that can cause disorientation, collisions, and undue exhaustion for the birds. Many birds use stars in the night sky to help them navigate their way. Tall lighted buildings can easily draw them off course and disorient the birds. Birds can end up colliding with buildings and windows causing injuries or death or circle the building reluctant to fly from the light resulting in exhaustion and even death. Cities with tall buildings are one of the main obstacles for birds, but even outdoor lighting from homes contributes to light pollution and can cause harm. This is where you can help! Something as easy as turning off the lights can make night migration safer for the birds. During peak migration from March 15 – May 31 and August 15 – October 31 turn off the lights from 11:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. Porch lights, outbuilding lighting along with lighted paths and decorative lighting should be turned off. If you are inside with the lights on, close the shades to prevent inside light from flooding outside. If you are unable to turn off all outdoor lighting, consider installing motion sensors or warm lighting and installing light shields so the light is only cast down, instead of all around which affects the birds more. Outdoor lighting is not only affecting migrating birds, but an array of other night dwelling animals. Firefly populations have been dwindling and a major cause is light pollution. Fireflies rely on finding their mates through seeing each other’s lighted blinking patterns. If an area is too bright from outdoor lighting or even indoor light coming through windows, they aren’t able to find their mates. They have a short window of time as adults so every dark minute counts. Consider extending your “Lights Out” time to the beginning of July to help the fireflies! Read more about fireflies from one of my previous blog posts by clicking the button below. There are a variety of “Lights Out” programs across the country through the Audubon Society and local nature centers in conjunction with government agencies. See if you can find one close to your home and pledge to turn the lights out. To learn more about the Audubon Society’s Lights Out program and to see a list of participating cities, visit their website by clicking the button below. For those of you in Minnesota interested in Lights Out Twin Cities (and Rochester) you can visit the Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program Page to see a list of participating businesses, by clicking the button below. Turn off your lights and
Save Birds (And Fireflies). Save Energy. Save Money. It’s that easy and a win-win-win for everyone!
2 Comments
3/24/2020 06:48:58 pm
This reminds of what my friend had to do when she purchased a condo on Ft. Myers Beach in Florida. She had to upgrade her sliding glass door, (her condo is right on the beach) to make it 'turtle' proof (a darkening of some sort). Baby turtles are attracted to lights and so instead of going out into the ocean, like they're supposed to do, they crawl up to the homes on the beach. Lights out is necessary!
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Megan Betcher
3/24/2020 09:19:22 pm
A great example of how what we do affects wildlife, and what we can do to help them! As easy as turning off lights and diming light sources. Thanks for reading and commenting!
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