Why Lights Out?
Twice each year, millions of birds pass through Connecticut on their way to and from their nesting grounds. Many birds use our shorelines and green spaces to rest and refuel during their trip. Some stay in the summer.
Most migratory birds pass over our state at night, when temperatures are cooler and skies are less turbulent. However, artificial lights attract and disorient birds, leading to collisions with buildings. The result is almost 1 billion birds killed in the United States every year. Every 9 seconds a bird dies from colliding with a building.
The Solution
Lights Out Connecticut is a growing coalition of residents, property owners, businesses, and local partners in Connecticut. They pledge to turn off or dim their nonessential lights during periods of peak migration to protect migratory birds.
PEAK MIGRATION:
11pm to 6am. April 1-May 31 & Sept 1-Nov 15
What YOU Can Do
- Use only full shielded, IDA dark sky certified fixtures for all outdoor lighting
- Use only the right amount of light needed. Too much light is wasteful and harms wildlife
- Install timers and dimmer switches and turn off lights when not in use
- Turn off lights in office buildings and homes when not in use
- Use only lighting with a color temperature of 3000K and below to reduce the blue (cool) light that is more harmful to many animal species
Reducing light pollution is an important factor in reducing bird window collisions.
www.lightsoutct.org
