A Simple Act of Darkness: How Turning Off Your Lights Can Save Millions of Migratory Birds Over Oregon Tonight

As the crisp autumn air settles over Oregon, an extraordinary natural spectacle unfolds high above our heads. Millions of migratory birds, from tiny warblers to majestic raptors, embark on their incredible journey south, navigating by the stars and Earth's magnetic field. Yet, beneath their ancient pathways, a modern peril awaits: our artificial night lights.

What appears to us as a welcoming glow can become a disorienting, deadly trap for these weary travelers.

Each year, countless birds perish as they collide with brightly lit buildings, confused and drawn off course by the artificial illumination. Researchers estimate that hundreds of millions of birds die annually across North America due to light pollution.

Disoriented, they exhaust themselves circling illuminated structures, become vulnerable to predators, or crash into windows and walls that they cannot see in the blinding glare. Tonight, as many species fly over Oregon, they face this very invisible threat.

The good news? The power to protect these vital creatures lies in a remarkably simple, yet profoundly impactful, action.

This evening, and throughout the peak migration season, we urge every Oregonian to make a small but significant change: turn off your non-essential lights.

From 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM, when migratory activity is at its peak, consider dimming or switching off exterior decorative lights, unnecessary indoor lights, and any upward-facing architectural lighting.

Even a single porch light, multiplied by thousands of homes, creates a cumulatively blinding effect across our landscapes. By plunging your immediate surroundings into darkness, you create clearer, safer flight paths for birds navigating the night sky, guiding them safely on their perilous journey.

This isn't just about saving one bird; it's about contributing to a collective effort that can save millions.

Organizations like the Audubon Society champion "Lights Out" initiatives because they work. They provide vital, immediate relief to birds during their most vulnerable hours of travel. Your simple act of turning off a light contributes directly to the survival of species, helping to preserve the rich biodiversity that makes our world, and particularly Oregon, so special.

So, tonight, as darkness falls, let's embrace it.

Let's make Oregon a safe haven, not a hazard, for the millions of winged visitors passing through. A flick of a switch can be a powerful beacon of hope for our feathered friends. Join us in making the night skies safe again – for the birds, and for the health of our planet.