Lights Out in Minneapolis

Downtown Minneapolis is going to be a bit darker for the next few weeks as Audubon Minnesota expands its “Lights Out” program in an effort to prevent bird window collisions during the spring migration from March 15 through May 31. According to a story in the Star Tribune, more than two dozen buildings in Minneapolis, Rochester and St. Paul participate in the program. Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Detroit and other cities also dim their lights in bird conservation efforts.

Migrating birds navigate by the stars, horizons, rivers and other landmarks, and brightly lit buildings can be disorienting. Birds may crash into the buildings, or they could fly around searching for the way out until they fall from exhaustion. Sparrows, warblers and juncos are some of the species most frequently affected along their migration routes.

What migrating species visit your feeders? Share your experiences in the comments!

Downtown Minneapolis
Photo © Philip Shannon