Twice a year, billions of birds travel hundreds of miles between their winter and summer homes, mostly at night, using the stars to navigate. In Northern Virginia alone, an estimated 100 to 160 million birds migrate through our skies each spring and fall.
Artificial lights can turn their journey into a confusing and dangerous trek. Bright lights on tall buildings and city skyglow attract the feathered travelers, leading to window collisions or exhaustion from circling illuminated structures.
As birds begin their migration this spring, the county is supporting the "Lights Out for Birds" campaign led by the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance. The alliance, in partnership with local organizations such as Nature Forward, Friends of Huntley Meadows and DarkSky NOVA, encourages residents and businesses to reduce excessive outdoor nighttime lighting from 11 p.m. through 6 a.m., March 15 to May 31 — the peak of spring bird migration.
Simple changes to lighting can make a difference. A Chicago study found that reducing nighttime lights in a single high-rise building decreased bird deaths by 80%, while also saving energy and lowering costs.
Balancing Bird and Neighborhood Safety
One common concern about turning off lights is community and personal safety, such as deterring crime deterring crime or improving visibility at night. Residents do not need to surround themselves in total darkness to support bird-friendly lighting.
Motion sensors, shielded lights and warm-colored bulbs can help reduce excess light while still providing enough illumination for outdoor safety. Keeping lights directed downward and using lower-intensity bulbs can make areas safer for both people and wildlife.
How to Help Birds at Night
Here’s how you can support migrating birds and maintain safety:
- Dim interior lights or close blinds. Prevent indoor lighting from escaping and disorienting birds.
- Use motion sensors or timers. Install lighting that only turns on when needed.
- Use warm, downward-facing lights. Outdoor lights should be shielded, aimed downward, and have a warm (amber) color instead of blue-white light.
- Install window decals or protective film. Help prevent birds from flying into glass by using patterns or films that make windows more visible to them.
- Reduce decorative and upper-floor lighting. High-rise buildings can turn off or reduce lighting on upper floors and exterior decorative lights.
- Follow DarkSky International’s Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Ensure lighting is useful, low-level, targeted, controlled and warm-colored.
- Spread the Word. Tell neighbors, friends and local businesses about the "Lights Out for Birds" campaign.
- Sign the Lights Out Pledge hosted by the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and show your commitment.
Light Pollution
The “Lights Off for Birds” campaign is the latest initiative in the county’s efforts to draw attention to light pollution, which negatively affects plant growth, other wildlife and human health.
During Lights Out Fairfax, held annually in March, residents are encouraged to turn off outdoor lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The collective effort by neighbors and businesses helps clear the glow, opening the skies to more viewable stars.
Our Park Authority supports International Dark Sky Week, scheduled this year from April 21-28. This weeklong event aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our dark skies and the detrimental effects of light pollution on human health, safety and the environment.
Residents can help scientists better understand light pollution in their neighborhood at any time of year thanks to a monitoring kit available for check out at any of the county public libraries. This kit, which may be borrowed for three weeks, lets residents measure and monitor light levels in their communities.
Reducing Light for a Better Environment
Turning off the lights helps the birds and also saves energy costs while contributing to a larger effort to protect our environment. Smart energy choices can make your home or business more energy efficient, increase comfort, reduce costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
The Sustain Fairfax Challenge can help measure how small actions – like turning off unneeded lighting – make a difference. This interactive platform makes it simple to track environmental-friendly activities that contribute to long-term sustainability. Participants can measure their impact through progress tracking, receive daily reminders, and collaborate with friends, family and neighbors.
More Information
For more information, contact the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Lights Out for Birds at advocacy@nvbirdalliance.org or 703-438-6008.
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