Spring migration is upon us as millions of birds wend north to their summer breeding grounds. The first migrants to arrive in Connecticut are red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows and eastern phoebes. These typically arrive in late February, followed by waves of other species in March and April. Whether they travel thousands of miles or only a few hundred, their journeys are perilous.
One of the biggest hazards migrating birds face is from excessive nighttime illumination. Lights that burn brightly through the night confuse birds, interfere with their ability to navigate by the stars and can throw them off course. The nighttime skies that were once dark and full of twinkling stars now glow with man-made city and suburban light from Florida all the way to Maine.
Artificial lights also affect many other creatures of the night. They interfere with male and female firefly courtship which depends on both sexes locating mates by flashing signals to each other in the dark. Porch lights left on all night spell death to pollinating moths and other night flying insects who are drawn to the hot white lights. Landscape lighting interferes with little brown bat’s ability to use their eco-location to hunt for mosquitoes and other pesky bugs. Excessive lighting also affects the circadian rhythms of nocturnal predators such as owls, foxes, coyotes and bobcats.
How can we help? Embrace the dark skies movement, a global phenomenon that started with star-gazing aficionados and has become a mantra for conservationists. Encourage local officials, schools, churches, building managers and individual homeowners to agree to dim the lights from midnight to dawn. Support groups, such as the New Canaan Land Trust, that preserve open space and wild lands where the stars shine all night. Consider how to reduce light pollution at home by
- Turning off excessive lighting that causes the sky to glow all night
- Switching to motion sensor security lights instead of using continuous spotlights
- Replacing bright white porch lights with yellow bulbs which are not as detrimental to insects
- Directing outdoor lighting toward the ground instead of illuminating the sky
Communities working together can create dark sky corridors throughout our region and beyond. Let’s turn out the lights to protect the birds, pollinators, fireflies and other wildlife that live in our yards, parks and open space preserves. Let’s enjoy looking at the stars in the night sky once again!
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