Lowering Nighttime Illumination Benefits Migrating Birds

Fairfax County is encouraging commercial building owners and residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights during bird migration season to protect the 100 million birds that pass through the area from March 15 to May 31. The Board of Supervisors has endorsed the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance’s “Turn Lights Out for Birds” campaign, urging reduced outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Limitations on nighttime illumination are crucial, as North America’s bird population has declined by 2.9 billion over the past 50 years due to factors including light pollution, habitat loss, and pesticides. Studies show that limiting bright lights can significantly reduce bird fatalities—up to 80% in one Chicago building—while also conserving energy. To address safety concerns, the county suggests alternatives such as using motion sensors and shielded lighting to minimize excess illumination while still ensuring community safety.

Lowering Nighttime Illumination Benefits Migrating Birds

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