The Houston skyline darkened – Tendenci CC 3.0.
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network
Millions of Birds Now Migrating Safely Through Darkened Texas Cities After Successful Lights Out Campaign
Texas is in the middle of the most critical migratory pathway for birds moving up and down the Americas—nearly 2 billion birds, or 1 out of 3 in the US, will pass over Texas during their spring and autumn migrations.
To safeguard the over 400 species of birds that migrate through Texas, the Houston chapter of the Audubon Society and their partners in the state have been running the Lights Out! Texas campaign for two years, and they’re seeing remarkable results.
With the prestige that owning and operating a skyscraper confers it may be surprising to note that dozens of building managers have been convinced since 2022 to turn off non-essential outdoor lights.
“We issued the proclamation, and they… found out, ‘Oh, wow, I can do these simple things, and it actually helps the birds when they’re migrating,’” Houston city hall spokesperson Sarah Osborne told KHOU 11.
“We’re seeing communities all across the state join in on this effort,” adds Anna Vallery, a Conservation Specialist with the Houston Audubon.
Researchers working in Chicago and studying the effects of Lights Out campaigns and other phenomena impacting migratory birds found that reducing the reflections from exterior lighting on tall buildings worked to prevent 60% of all bird collision deaths.
Since most birds migrate at night by the light of the stars and moon, the shining lights of a city in the distance can attract them. But once lost in the photo-soup of a shining skyline like Houston or Fort Worth, they can become extremely disoriented, smash headlong into buildings whose glass is reflecting light from the city, and die.
Fort Worth is participating in Lights Out! Texas and the skyline looks decidedly different in this short CBS bulletin.
The Texas Audubon has all the information a resident might need to do their part or organize municipal efforts to help our winged brothers and sisters safely pass by.
Spring migrations last only about 70 days, from the start of March to the middle of June, with a slightly longer period during autumn migration of middle-August to the end of November.
The good news in this article is that cities and individuals are cooperating to ensure a safe migration for our bird species. Today’s JohnKu discusses the importance of bird life. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Birds by John W. Howell ©2024
Birds are critical.
They are an important link . . .
In the chain of life
Fiction Favorites 
I have learned something new, and certainly with the poor birds in mind…hopefully, so have many relevant people. Do hope more pay heed.
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I love the black sky concept and join you in hoping more join in.
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I would have thought that they might fly into the taller buildings, but as long as it’s working – terrific!
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I think as long as the light does not confuse them they can see enough to avoid them. Thanks, GP.
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How’s this for a good news story?
https://www.foxnews.com/us/video-shows-colorado-wildlife-officcer-dangling-rope-rescue-mountain-lions-spillway
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A great story GP. I would have liked to use it but I already have tomorrow’s written. That parks guy is some hero.
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Glad you liked it.
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I thought it was amazing. 😊
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This is a new one for me … but very interesting and one worth monitoring.
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Your city is not on the migration path so I’m not surprised you haven’t had much news about this situation.
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Case in point that even small actions can protect an essential part of the ecosystem!
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Yes, turning down the lights has a lot of benefits.
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Wow, I didn’t know this. It’s almost counterintuitive. Thank you for sharing this collective effort, John. Bravo!
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Thank you, Gwen. So much good out of turning down the lights. 😁
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This is way cool. I had no idea there was such an issue and am thrilled that the birds are happy!!!
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They are no longer being killed running into buildings which is a great idea.
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The lights out campaign is awesome! I enjoyed your johnku, too. Happy FriYAY!
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Thank you, Kymber. I’m glad you did.
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Everything in nature seems to circle back to protecting all things living and breathing, doesn’t it. Wonderful story and perfect JohnKu, John.
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Thak you, Steve. Yes it is a wonderful story. 😁
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That’s great, John! To save the lives of so many birds is wonderful. Thanks for this informative post, John.
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My pleasure, Tim. Thanks for your comment.
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I never knew about this, but bravo to the businesses and people who are participating. Sounds like a win-win situation to me.
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A lot of money and birds saved.
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This is encouraging information John. It’s great to know that we humans are mindful of other species and taking necessary steps to insure their survival. Have a wonderful weekend.
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We humans become mindful when someone points out to them a better way. Thanks, Holly
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Wow that’s fascinating, John. It’s such a good feeling to know about this effort to help the birds migrate. I had no idea that city lights were such a distraction to migrating birds.
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I didn’t either, Barbara. Sure glad someone is looking out for them.
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Thinking the same thing – I told my family about this last night!
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😁
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Light pollution is a huge issue. When we were sailing in the Gallapagos, I spent my nights in awe of all the stars I could see.
With respect to the birds, now they’ll just wander into those huge wind propellers and get killed! Still, this is a start.
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Yes it is. Maybe someone will figure out how to keep the birds away from the propellers. Thanks, Noelle.
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What a beautiful thing! Wonderful JohnKu, too 🙂
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Thank you, Dale.
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😊
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😊
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What a wonderful initiative! Can you imagine flying into a building?? *shudders*
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Bad enough when a bird strikes a window in the house. Think of thousands hitting those buildings. 😳
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I never knew most birds travel by night. This is a great story, with something new involved.
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Yes it is. Thanks, Craig.
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This is terrific! Everyone wins, especially the birds. Love your JohnKu.
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Yes the birds win and that is a good thing.
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🙂
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It is. Thas, Jennie.
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I heard some places do this for baby turtles hatching too.
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Yes. They also need starlight to find the sea..
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See, we are listening to that chain… Finally.
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Good news from Texas for a change! Thanks for sharing, John. Next weekend the Botanical Gardens in CC will host “Birdiest Festival in America.” A little Texas brag there but we do get a lot of birds migrating through our state. TGIF to you.
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We do. Thanks, Jo.
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I never knew this, John. I’m so glad some of the Texas cities are stepping up!
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Yeah, me too. Thanks, Jan
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That skyline is quite the sight, and a testament to how the little things can add up to a lot. Good on them for seeing the light, and turning them off.
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You would think someone would have done it years ago. Better late than never.
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You’re right about that!
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Well at least it is underway now.
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I’ve read some about this but I didn’t know much about it. Light pollution can really be a problem and this is a great initiative. I am not sure if it matters but I will try to keep my house dark at night. In addition to helping birds amateur astronomy gets better.
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If you can get your block to do the same it would be great. Thanks Thomas
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I’ll try doing that
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They may think you’re are crazy but worth a shot.
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I read an odd mishmash of a book, gifted from a friend, about birds getting eaten as a unique delicacy. I’ve taken their existence for granted, and the existence of humans who DON’T kill off birds and the environment.
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Time to think about those who don’t kill off birds and the environment. Thank, Chel.
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That is just so amazingly cool. Thank you for sharing such great news. Keep up the good work, Texas!
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Thank you, Monika.
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So great when communities work together to solve problems.
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It is Pete. Thank you. 😊
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Very encouraging to see a private entity partner with a government entity to identify a problem and mutually develop a problem-solving solution. What a concept….🐳
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So true. A great concept. Thanks 🐳
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I am so happy to see this kind of compassion and cooperation, John. It’s so important to understand how we impact nature and to do what we can to support the other inhabitants of this planet.
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I agree, Dan. Thanks for the terrific comment.
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We can do better to care for Mother Earth, and this is a great example of just how little effort it takes to do just that, John.
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So true, Bruce.
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It’s about time something is done to stop the bird migration deaths from big citylights.
Kudos to Texas and the Audubon Society!
Birds are an important link in the chain of life. (Fab JohnKu 🌟)
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Seems to me in the chain of life, humans are the weakest link.
⛓𝔛 🦅𝔛 🕊𝔛 ⛓𝔛
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Humans want to believe they are the strongest but I agree with you.
⚰️X ⛓X 💣X
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💋
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😊X
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How remarkable, John. I am thrilled to know this.
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Thank you, Robbie.
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Wow! Talk about some Fri-Yay good news!! Thanks so much for sharing this, John. I’ve not heard of any areas that are working on light reduction for bird safety, and it does my heart good to know Texas is doing so. I’ve got to check to see what other areas might be working on this. We live in a smaller town where the night lights (and the night life) are not all that present, but there are certainly areas in Florida where this could be important. Thanks for giving me something to ponder! And congratulations for living where steps are already being taken to help protect avian lives.
🤗🤗🤗
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Given Texas is on the migratory flight path something had to be done. There were way too many bird fatalities.
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I’m glad they recognized the problem and took appropriate steps to help alleviate it! 👍🏻😊
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I am too. Thanks, Marcia.
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That’s really cool, not only because it helps the birds, but it’s good to encourage humans to think of others, even if those others have wings. It should also make them feel good knowing they’re helping. Win-win-win!
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So true, Betsy. I imagine those that put forward the effort to bring awareness and action feel really good about what they have accomplished.
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Indeed. And that kind of positive attitude can have ripple effects.
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Most certainly. 😊
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I love that the community pulls together to aid the birds in their migration. 🙂
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That was a big effort for sure, Debby. Thanks.
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🙂
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:0 1 out of 3 birds in the U.S.! Glad to hear that most people in your area are on board with the Lights Out campaign. It’s great to see some good news about the natural world for a change. Thanks for sharing, John.
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I agree, Mark. Lowering the bird migrating fatalities is a big step. Thanks.
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