Fall Migration - Your Feathered Friends Need You

Fall migration is a critical and often dangerous time for birds, and there are several meaningful ways you can help them along the way. Experts predict that millions of birds migrate during the fall.

Mystery of the Missing Migrants - Charley Harper

Birds often fly at night (using stars), and lights from buildings, especially in urban areas, attract and disorient them. Birds can become confused and exhausted, making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings. Turn off nonessential lights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the fall migration so that birds can proceed safely on their migratory journeys.

• Do not use landscape lighting to light up trees or gardens where birds may be resting.

• Close blinds at night to reduce the amount of light being emitted from windows.  

• Aim lights down or use lighting shields to direct light downwards and to avoid light shining into the sky or trees.

• Use motion detectors and sensors so lights are only on when you need them.

🏡 Around Your Home

1. Prevent Window Collisions

   • Apply decals, films, or screens to windows so birds don’t mistake reflections for sky.

   • Keep indoor lights dimmed at night, especially on upper floors.

   • Position feeders near trees or shrubs, providing shelter and perches for tired birds to rest and hide from predators.

     Minimize Window Collisions:Place feeders either very close to windows (within 3 feet) or more than 30 feet away to reduce the risk of window collisions.

2. Provide Food Sources

   • Keep bird feeders stocked with high-energy food like black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer, peanuts, and suet.

   • Plant native fruiting shrubs and late-blooming flowers for natural food.

3. Offer Water

   • Maintain clean birdbaths with fresh water for drinking and bathing.

   • Consider a dripper or fountain—movement attracts migrating birds.

4. Leave Some Leaves & Brush

   • Don’t overly tidy your yard—leaf litter provides insects and seeds for ground-feeding migrants.

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In Your Community

5. Reduce Light Pollution

   • Support or join "Lights Out" programs that encourage businesses and residents to turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting during migration seasons.

6. Support Habitat Protection

   • Contribute to local land trusts or bird conservation groups working to preserve stopover habitats.

7. Keep Cats Indoors

   • Free-roaming cats are a major threat to migrating birds. Keeping cats inside protects both cats and wildlife.

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Personal Actions

8. Track Migration

   • Use apps like eBird or BirdCast to learn when migration peaks in your area so you can be extra mindful about lights and windows.

   

9. Advocate & Educate

   • Share tips with friends, neighbors, or on social media to raise awareness.

10. Provide Shelter

11. Nest boxes, dense shrubs, or brush piles give birds safe resting places during long journeys.

    
    

Help keep birds safe and enjoy the incredible miracle of migrating birds.