Lights Out: Protecting Our Skies and Saving Migratory Birds
By Chetna Misra
Introduction
Imagine a sky filled with thousands of birds, each following an invisible map imprinted in their instincts. Now, picture bright city lights confusing their path, leading them straight into glass towers or causing them to circle aimlessly until exhaustion claims them. This is the hidden impact of urban lighting—one that the Lights Out program seeks to mitigate.
Every spring and fall, millions of birds embark on a journey across continents, navigating vast distances with precision honed over millennia. However, in our increasingly illuminated world, artificial light disrupts this ancient migration, leading to disorientation and fatal collisions. The "Lights Out" program offers a simple yet powerful solution—turning off unnecessary lights during peak migration seasons to safeguard birds and conserve energy.
What is the Lights Out Program?
The Lights Out initiative is an effort to reduce light pollution and mitigate its harmful effects on nocturnally migrating birds. By encouraging cities, businesses, and homeowners to dim or turn off lights during key migration periods, this program helps prevent fatal disorientation and promotes a healthier nocturnal environment.
The movement began in the late 1990s when Chicago pioneered the first Lights Out program in response to increasing bird fatalities caused by artificial lighting. Since then, cities across North America, including Toronto, New York, and San Francisco, have adopted similar initiatives. Toronto has been a leader in this effort, with its Bird-Friendly City certification program setting a national example. Buildings such as the CN Tower in Toronto and Place Ville Marie in Montreal have participated in bird-friendly lighting initiatives by dimming or turning off lights during migration seasons. Organizations like Nature Canada, Birds Canada, and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) continue to advocate for broader participation, and RASC members can play a key role by engaging with local Bird Friendly teams through Nature Canada’s resources.
Light Pollution: A Growing Concern for Wildlife
Nocturnally migrating birds rely on celestial cues—stars and the moon—to navigate. However, excessive artificial lighting obscures these natural guides, leading birds astray. Instead of following their usual migratory paths, they become disoriented and often end up in urban environments where survival becomes difficult.
The Importance of Migration for Bird Species
Migration is a critical survival strategy for many bird species, ensuring they reach breeding and feeding grounds essential for their lifecycle. Disruptions caused by artificial light threaten their ability to complete these journeys, ultimately impacting bird populations and biodiversity. The loss of even a fraction of migratory birds can have ripple effects on ecosystems, affecting everything from insect populations to plant pollination.
How Artificial Light Disrupts Bird Navigation
Studies have shown that urban lighting attracts birds into cities, where they face multiple dangers, including window collisions and exhaustion from flying in circles around brightly lit areas. Birds perceive illuminated buildings as open spaces, mistaking them for natural pathways between trees. This confusion leads to tragic consequences, with thousands of birds dying from building strikes each year. The problem is compounded in foggy or overcast conditions, which further obscure natural celestial cues.
Statistics on Bird Fatalities Due to Urban Lighting
According to the National Audubon Society, up to one billion birds die annually from collisions with buildings in North America alone. In Toronto, the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) has documented tens of thousands of bird deaths, highlighting the urgent need for action. In one study, researchers found that reducing nighttime lighting in a single city could prevent the deaths of thousands of birds per year.
A striking example of artificial light’s impact on birds is the annual Twin Towers Tribute in Light in New York City. Research has shown that migrating birds become trapped in the beams, circling repeatedly and becoming exhausted. Conservationists now monitor the event and temporarily shut off the lights when excessive numbers of birds become affected, demonstrating how small interventions can make a big difference. This incident underscores the importance of adaptive lighting strategies in urban areas.
How Lights Out Programs Benefit Birds and Humans
Reduction in Bird Collisions and Fatalities
By simply turning off unnecessary lights, communities can significantly reduce bird mortality rates. The Lights Out program has been instrumental in saving countless birds by minimizing their exposure to hazardous urban lighting. Even partial participation—such as dimming exterior lights or closing blinds—can have a substantial impact.
Energy Conservation and Cost Savings
Beyond protecting birds, Lights Out initiatives also offer practical benefits for humans. Reducing nighttime illumination leads to lower energy consumption, translating to financial savings for businesses and households alike. Cities that implement these programs report reductions in municipal energy costs, making it a win-win for both conservationists and taxpayers.
Contribution to Restoring Natural Darkness and Protecting Night Skies
The Lights Out program is not only about birds—it also aligns with broader efforts to reduce light pollution and restore natural darkness. Stargazers, astronomers, and environmental advocates all benefit from preserving the integrity of the night sky, creating a shared incentive to support these initiatives. RASC light pollution reduction advocates will find many allies among birders (who typically outnumber astronomers 10 or more to 1!).
Light pollution has wide-reaching consequences beyond bird migration. It disrupts human circadian rhythms, affects nocturnal wildlife like bats and insects, and reduces our ability to experience the natural night sky. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and RASC have been vocal in their advocacy for responsible lighting practices that serve both human and ecological needs.
Taking Action: How You Can Get Involved
Join or Advocate for a Local Lights Out Program
Find out if your city has a Lights Out program or advocate for one to be established. Partnering with organizations such as Nature Canada or local RASC chapters can help push the initiative forward. RASC members, in particular, can play a key role by collaborating with local Bird Friendly teams to support and expand these efforts.
Nature Canada provides clear guidelines on how to get involved in their Bird-Friendly City certification program. RASC members can use these resources to engage with municipal leaders, advocate for lighting ordinances, and contribute to ongoing bird conservation projects. Visit Nature Canada's Bird-Friendly City program to learn more and find teams near you.
Spread Awareness in Your Community
Educating others about the impact of artificial light on wildlife can drive meaningful change. Share information with neighbors, businesses, and local policymakers to encourage participation. Schools, nature groups, and birding organizations can host events to promote awareness.
Make Simple Changes at Home and Work
Switching off unnecessary lights, using motion sensors, and installing bird-friendly window treatments are small but effective steps individuals can take to support migratory bird safety. Shielding outdoor lighting and using warmer, low-intensity bulbs can also minimize light pollution.
Conclusion
The Lights Out program is a vital, easy-to-implement initiative that has the power to protect migratory birds, conserve energy, and reduce light pollution. With peak migration season approaching in March, now is the perfect time to take action.
RASC members can make a tangible impact by working with local Bird Friendly programs, advocating for responsible lighting, and promoting community participation. Visit Nature Canada’s website to find existing initiatives or start your own efforts in collaboration with bird conservation teams.
A future with darker skies is a future where birds can travel safely, humans can enjoy the stars, and ecosystems remain in balance. It's time to turn off the lights and let nature take the lead.