Give Migrating Birds a Break - Lights Out Washington!

Townsend's Warbler in Edmonds. Photo courtesy of Todd Skinner

By the Conservation Committee

We live among important stopovers along the Pacific Flyway, where millions of birds migrating south from Alaska and western Canada pause to rest and refuel. Our local environment is amazing – and our PAS Conservation Committee enjoys supporting local tidal mudflats, wetlands, marshes, farmland, forests, and river corridors that provide food and shelter for waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors.   

The majority of North American migratory birds travel at night, navigating by stars and natural light cues. Unfortunately, artificial light from cities and buildings can disorient migrating birds, pulling them off course and into urban areas where they are vulnerable to exhaustion, predation, and deadly collisions. 

You can help!  During this fall migration season, turn off unnecessary lights, direct outdoor lighting downward, use only the brightness needed, and choose warmer-colored bulbs. Encourage your neighbors, businesses, schools, and community organizations to do the same. When an entire community turns out the lights, we create a safer nighttime passage for birds—and a brighter future for the natural places that make Snohomish special. Join the Lights Out effort and help spread the word!

Learn more here! https://www.audubon.org/washington/projects/lights-out-washington

Are you a business?  Check out this flyer you can post:  https://nationalaudubon.app.box.com/s/eh39t1qj4ona62h80py99ajrddg63kma

And join us if you are interested in conservation for Bird Friendly Communities!