New York lights strongly affect migrant birds

19/11/2017

A new study has presented convincing evidence that night lights cause serious altered behaviour among night-migrating birds.

Scientists from the University of Oxford, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and New York City Audubon examined migrating bird behaviour over seven years at a special location, the ‘Tribute in Light’ in New York City. The tribute is held to commemorate the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

During the tribute, two strong beams of light, each with 44 xenon bulbs of 7,000 watts, pierce the night sky, replicating a light-image of the ‘twin towers’ of the World Trade Center, where nearly 3,000 lives were lost.

"We found that migrating birds gather in large numbers because they're attracted to the light," says Benjamin Van Doren of Oxford University, a lead author of the study. "They slow down, start circling, and call more frequently. They end up burning energy without making any progress and risk colliding with nearby buildings or being caught by predators."

The New York City study has been a rare opportunity to witness the impact of powerful ground-based lights on nocturnally migrating birds, according to co-lead author Kyle Horton, now with the Cornell Lab but working at the University of Oklahoma during the study. "This analysis would not have been possible without the help of tribute organisers."

Read more  

Raleigh turns out the lights for birds

 City agrees to dim lights at performing arts and convention centers

Lights confuse migrating songbirds, causing some to hit buildings

‘Lights Out’ program dovetails with Raleigh’s conservation efforts

The city of Raleigh has begun turning off lights at some of its downtown buildings late at night for the benefit of songbirds who migrate through North Carolina each fall and spring. Both the lights used to illuminate the exteriors of buildings as well as lights left on inside can confuse birds, coaxing them to fly into walls of glass or fly in circles until they get exhausted and drop. The Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts is responsible for the most bird collision deaths in Raleigh according to the Wake Audobon Society.Chris Seward cseward@newsobserver.com

BY RICHARD STRADLING

rstradling@newsobserver.com

RALEIGH 

The city has begun turning off lights at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and the nearby convention center late at night, mostly for the benefit of some out-of-town visitors.

For many songbirds that migrate through North Carolina each fall and spring, the bright city lights can be deadly. Lights that illuminate the exteriors of buildings as well as those left on inside can confuse birds, coaxing them to crash into windows or fly in circles until they drop from exhaustion.

Read more here: