Coalition Updates

Lights danger to migrating birds

Each year in North America, between one hundred million and one billion birds die during night-time migrations. Many think that all birds migrate during the day. Not so. Many small birds such as warblers, wrens vireos, thrushes, and tanagers migrate at night on their way either to summer breeding grounds or wintering grounds. On these trips the birds face many hazards, including towers and structures that use daylight reflecting glass. However, tall buildings lighted at night are one of the greatest dangers.

It is thought that the lights of tall buildings confuse the navigation systems of birds unlucky enough to have these buildings in their flight path. They circle the buildings repeatedly and die of exhaustion or by colliding directly with the building. According to scientists at the Field Museum in Chicago, these deaths could be reduced by 80% if the building lights were simply turned off.

The Detroit Audubon Society is requesting building organizations, government agencies, and property owners to reduce the carnage by turning off lights in tall buildings – on the 5th floor and above – from 11:00 p.m. to dawn, from the second weekend in March through May, and from the second weekend in August through October.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm showed her support by issuing a proclamation naming “Safe Passage Great Lakes Days” from March 15 to May 31, and August 15 to October 31. Detroit Audubon is gratified to receive support from DTE Energy and Ford Motor Company as well.

In spearheading “Project Safe Passage,” Detroit Audubon is following the lead of cities such as Chicago, New York, and Toronto, which have similar programs. Toronto became the first North American city to dim tall building lights during spring and fall bird migrations. Chicago was the first United States city to follow suit. Michigan can become the first state to demonstrate its concern in a similar way. However, it is not just a matter of saving the lives of avian migrants. Keeping those lights on means using a good deal of electricity, and that costs money. Further, the electricity used has an environmental cost: the generation of that electricity means that power plants are in operation, which contributes to air pollution.

So by turning out those lights, not only will birds be spared, but money and energy will also be saved, and pollution will be reduced. It can be a win-win-win situation, for the environment, for building owners and managers, and for the birds.

Detroit Audubon welcomes the support of Michigan Audubon in the effort to inform people throughout our state of the benefits of simply turning out lights during the bird migration season. Several of the bird species at risk from these night-time lights are declining in population. We can help reduce that risk by removing one major hazard.

What you can do

To a bird, a window is an invisible killer. One out of every two birds that collide with a window will die. There are steps that you can take to help steer birds clear of this danger.

• Place birdbaths and feeders close to windows within 12 inches. Birds will fly to the attractions and stop before hitting the window.
• Put up a physical barrier, such as a mosquito net or screen, outside of windows.
• Create an unnatural pattern to the birds by spacing vertical blinds or bamboo stripping on the inside of the window.
• Remove houseplants and Christmas trees from windows as they present an illusion of the outdoors.
• Break up reflections by covering the window with cloth, ribbons, paper, or decals.
• Turn your lights off lights or close your shades between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the fall and spring migrations from March 15 to May 31 and from August 15 to October 31.
• Encourage cities and downtown buildings to take part in Project Safe Passage.

Joe Bartell is a past president of the Detroit Audubon Society. He is a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, in addition to many other world conservation and birding organizations.

© 2008 Great Lakes News.