Now that summer temps are starting to cool down, migratory songbirds and shorebirds are beginning their journeys south to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. Most birds fly at night, using the stars to navigate. But, unfortunately, our Town lights can quickly disorient them causing them to veer off course and sometimes fall to their deaths after striking brightly lit buildings. Millions of birds die each year from window collisions. You can help make their journeys a little safer by turning off your outdoor lights until November 30.
Here’s how you can help:
- Turn off all outside lights from 11 pm to 6 am
- Install automatic motion sensor lights that point downward
- Extinguish pot and flood-lights
- Close blinds and curtains
- If you work in an office building, ask your employer to turn off exterior upward-facing lights, as well as interior office lights from 11 pm to dawn
- Install bird-friendly window coverings to avoid collisions during the day*
Let’s make Chapel Hill a “Lights Out” community to help our feathered friends safely reach their wintering grounds. Insects and butterflies also need darkness at night to survive. One person can make a difference by making our environment safer for our wild creatures.
You can learn more at: Lights Out North Carolina
*If you are having daytime window collisions, there are products that can prevent these collisions. Click here for more info: https://abcbirds.org/solutions/prevent-home-collisions/