An estimated 1 billion migration birds die every year in North America of collisions with houses, trade buildings and other structures that have contributed to a decline in the total bird population in the past 50 years. Many species are partly due to these collisions, including the wooden tube, which used to be a widespread species in Louisiana, but is now a kind of “nature conservation concerns”.
“In addition to the loss of habitats, a large part of the decline of the wood ear population is probably due to collisions with collisions,” said van Remsen, emeritus LSU professor of natural sciences. “In fact, there are more than 100 types of migration birds that have a significant decline in population, which is probably partially due to collisions.”
The slaughter must stop. For this reason, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) calls on the residents and companies throughout the state to get together with others, bright or excess lighting indoors and outdoors from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between now and June 15th to protect the millions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night.
Louisiana sits on the Mississippi Flyway Migration Path. With the huge wetlands, forests and the coast that serve as a critical stop on the way, our state is crucial to help birds get on their summer site.
Twice a year 325 bird species travel the Mississippi Flyway. During the autumn migration in 2024, an estimated 500 million birds emigrated from the state of Louisiana. The majority of these birds migrate at night and usually begin their nightly migration about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset with peak flights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
While the dark sky avoid migration birds, use calmer air and use the moon and stars for navigation, it also brings dangers, such as bright artificial lights and sky from larger cities, which can confuse the birds, which is often collidated with buildings or windows.
“Our lights in the city can mislead birds and distract them with often poor consequences. This initiative is a simple but impressive step to help these birds to continue their incredible journey,” said Rebecca Triche, managing director of LWF. “Louisiana is known for the population of migration birds at various seasons and people take care of keeping the wild animals sustainably. By supporting the light initiative, companies and individuals can take a practical step to protect the birds, call Louisiana home.”
Individuals and organizations that want to join others to the light initiative should follow the following guidelines:
• Switch off from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the migration period.
• Avoid using landscape lighting on trees or gardens in which birds may rest.
• Use these dark sky-friendly lighting adjustments for essential safety lighting:- Aim lights down.
– Use light shields to steer the light down and prevent it from blind up.
– Use movement detectors and sensors so that the lights switch on if necessary.
– Close at night to limit the amount of light through windows.
• For construction owners/ managers: – Adjust the custody plans to complete until 11:00 p.m.
– Make sure that the lights are switched off after cleaning the custody. Additional guidelines for buildings over 3 stories:
• Dimmn or deactivate: – external/ decorative lighting. – Lobby/ atrium light.
– Extent room lights at all levels.
– floodlights. – Lighting on interior systems/fountain.
– Lights on open soils.
– Lights with blank white light emissions (over 3000 K in color temperature.)
• Instead, use: – Writing lamps or tasks instead of skylights.
-“Warm white” or filtered LEDs outdoors (less than 3000 K at color temperature) People can monitor bird migration in their area with the help of Birdcast, a migration fittings board, which is provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The dashboard for the region is: Monroe – Dashboard. Birdcast. Info/ region/ US-LA-073 and Shreveport dashboard. Birdcast. Info/ region/ US-LA-017.
Visit the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy to learn more about the protection of wandering birds near you.