Reducing nighttime lighting protects migrating birds

Fairfax County urges commercial building owners and residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights during bird migration season.

The Board of Supervisors recently approved a board matter calling for the county to promote the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance’s “Turn Lights Out for Birds” spring campaign.  

The Bird Alliance encourages residents and businesses to reduce excessive outdoor nighttime lighting from 11 p.m.-6 a.m., between March 15 to May 31. The campaign is also supported by Nature Forward, Friends of Huntley Meadows, and Dark Sky NOVA.

During the spring migration, 100 million birds pass through Northern Virginia, most of them flying at night.

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As a result of the bright lights, as well as habitat loss and pesticides, North America’s bird population has declined by 2.9 billion in the past 50 years, a 30 percent drop.

A few simple changes can make a big difference. A study in Chicago found that reducing nighttime lights in a single high-rise building decreased bird deaths by 80 percent, while also saving energy and lowering costs.

In response to people’s concerns that turning off the lights threatens community and personal safety, Fairfax County says residents don’t need to surround themselves in total darkness to protect migrating birds. Motion sensors, shielded lights, warm-colored bulbs, and having lights pointed downward can help reduce excess light.