Help Save Migratory Birds in Central New York
Help give save passage through Central New York. Make a commitment TODAY to turn off your unnecessary indoor and outdoor lights every night during peak bird migration from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. When you switch off extra lights, you reduce your energy bill, save money, lower your carbon footprint, help protect migrating birds, their habitats, and improve your views of the night sky.
Spring Migration: April 1-May 31
Fall Migration: August 15-November 15
Why Lights out?
Millions of birds pass through New York every spring and fall on their way to and from their summer nesting grounds up north. Because our state is located along the Atlantic Flyway, many birds use our green spaces and waterways to rest and refuel during their trip. Some also stay for the summer.
Most migrating birds pass through Central New York at nighttime. Many species of migratory songbirds evolved to migrate at night, when the skies are safer. The air temperatures are cooler, the air flows are less turbulent, and avian predators are less active. Landing at daybreak also allows for optimal foraging, as insects become active. Further, sciences shows that the birds navigate by cues in the night sky, including the light of the moon and stars. But light pollution has wreaked havoc on our night sky.
Studies have shown that overly lit structures and landscapes can tempt migrating birds into fatal headlong building collisions, tragically cutting their journeys short. The result is catastrophic: 1 to 2 billion birds are killed by collisions each year in the United States.
The Solution
Turning off unnecessary lights each night between 11pm and 6am helps to reduce risks for migratory birds.
Lights Out Central New York is a growing community of residents, property owners, businesses, nonprofits, and officials in Central New York working together to protect migratory birds by reducing artificial lights during peak periods of bird migration. We educate and organize people to turn off or dim their nonessential lights during the weeks of April 1-May 31 and August 12-November 15.
Participation is completely voluntary, self-monitored, and self-assessed. For instance, if a resident, business owner, or school determines that they can safely turn off or dim their exterior lights and install motion detection lights as necessary to reduce their lighting load for Lights Out Central New York, they can join in good faith.
It all adds up to make a big difference for migrating birds looking for safe passage through Central New York.
Turning off lights also SAVES energy and money on electric bills. The Environmental Protection Agency identifies energy as the single largest operating expense for commercial buildings; yet the U.S. Department of Energy found that 99% of the light we emit has no clear purpose.
Our goal is to reduce unnecessary, misdirected, over-illuminated nighttime lighting during bird migration to create safe passage for birds – not to completely darken cities and towns, which could create safety concerns.
How You Can Make A Difference!
Become a Lights Out CNY Advocate
Becoming a Lights Out CNY advocate is easy! You can set an example in your community by tuning off or dimming nonessential lighting during critical migration periods. It is proven to dramatically reduce hazards for migratory birds! Birds are attracted to and disorientated by excessive artificial lights. By flipping a switch, you can help birds rest and nest safely in Central New York.
Prevent Window Collisions
Property Owners can also help birds by preventing window collisions using decals and creative stick-ons. Try CollidEscape, Feather Freindly, ABC Tape, or Birdsavers. Saving just one bird can make a difference. Remember to follow the “2 by 4 rule” of having a visual barrier on the window surface every 2 inches horizontal and 4 inches vertical. An easy and cheap solution is simly moving your bird feeder 3 feet or closer to your window.
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