New York to dim its lights to help migratory birds

The state of New York has made plans to turn off non-essential lights in state-run buildings to help birds navigate their migratory routes in spring and autumn. The decision follows research that shows that migrating birds that use stars to navigate but can be disorientated by electric lights, often causing them to crash into buildings.

The phenomenon, known as "fatal light attraction", is estimated to kill up to one billion birds a year in the US, with millions of birds migrating through New York along the Atlantic Flyway route. Following this decision, those passing over New York city by night will stand a better chance of making it further north.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that bright outdoor lights will be turned off between 23:00 and dawn during peak migration seasons in spring and autumn. The state will join several well-known New York landmarks that have already signed up to the National Audubon Society's Lights Out programme, including the Rockefeller Centre, Chrysler Building and Time Warner Centre.

"This is a simple step to help protect these migrating birds that make their home in New York's forests, lakes and rivers," Cuomo said in a statement he issued.

Cuomo further announced the new "I Love NY Birding" website, which will provide information on bird watching and how to participate in the Lights Out initiative. The National Audubon Society already works with other major cities to protect birds from strikes, including Baltimore, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Research suggests that fatal light attraction affects migratory songbirds such as warblers, thrushes and sparrows more than local birds, who learn where they can fly safely.