Wisconsin Issues Lights Out Alert to Protect Migrating Birds
• A statewide Lights Out Alert has been issued in Wisconsin as researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Purdue University predict that approximately 17.6 million birds will migrate over the state tonight. Nationwide, an estimated 383 million birds are expected to be in transit across the lower 48 states. The alert encourages residents to turn off non-essential outdoor lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce light pollution, which can disorient birds and lead them into urban areas where they face hazards such as building collisions. These collisions are a significant contributor to the nearly 30% decline in North American bird populations since
• Lights Out Alerts are typically issued on nights when bird migration traffic ranks in the top 10% of the season, accounting for about half of all migration activity.
Why It's Important?
Artificial light poses a significant risk to migrating birds, as it can disorient them and increase the likelihood of collisions with buildings and windows. These collisions are estimated to kill up to 3.5 billion birds annually in the United States. The Lights Out Alert aims to mitigate these risks during peak migration periods, which are critical for bird populations already facing significant declines. Residents in cities such as Appleton, La Crosse, Madison, and Milwaukee, as well as those in surrounding areas, are encouraged to participate in the initiative to protect these vulnerable species.
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