Lights Out: Protecting Migratory Birds, One Night at a Time
Lights Out for Migrating Birds
Each spring, millions of birds travel through Connecticut along the Atlantic Flyway—most under the cover of darkness. They rely on the moon and stars to guide them, arriving at dawn to rest and refuel.
But artificial light from buildings and streets can disorient these nighttime travelers, causing exhaustion, dangerous landings, and fatal collisions. In fact, up to 1–2 billion birds are lost each year in the U.S. due to building strikes.
The good news? A simple action—turning off unnecessary lights at night—can help protect them. Commit to turning off your unnecessary outdoor and indoor lights every night during peak bird migration from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Spring Migration: April 1 - May 31.