LIGHTS OUT ACTION ALERT!
As part of League City’s “Lights out for Texas” proclamation issued by the City Council in April, we are encouraging all residents to shut off their outdoor lights between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Data from “Birdcast” and from our Friends at Houston Audubon indicate that the next few day will have millions of birds migrating through Galveston County.
In fact, from Wednesday April 27 from 8p.m. to Thursday, April 28 at 6:40 a.m. close to 1.5 million migrating birds crossed over Galveston County. To see a live map with the latest data click, visit https://birdcast.info/ https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-167?night=2022-04-27&fbclid=IwAR3ZGSSPLVr0U71iIttN2mMeP-QrLpWHf-uZy-zd-gAmkU1LaPrrm2KsssE .
You can also sign up to received alerts at https://birdcast.info
At their April 12 meeting, League City Council issued a proclamation declaring April 19 through May 7 as "Light Out Nights" to help protect the migratory birds coming through the League City and Galveston County area. Citizens and businesses are being asked to turn off their outdoor lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in order to remove light pollution that can throw migratory birds off course or even make them so disoriented that they circle until they fall to exhaustion or collide with buildings. League City will be doing the same at all its facilities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Turning off lights dramatically reduces hazards from attraction to and disorientation by light, allowing birds to safely proceed with their migratory journeys. And further, Lights Out does more than save birds, it saves energy and money! The Environmental Protection Agency highlights energy as the largest operating expense for commercial buildings. Reducing energy use by shutting off lights for migration season makes environmental sense and fiscal sense. Lights Out is a win-win for birds and cities, and the people who love both. By working together toward a dark sky every spring and fall, we will keep birds safely on course and out of harm’s way. Each light matters, and your commitment makes all the difference.