The Lights Out program aims to reduce the number of deaths of migrating birds caused by light pollution. Artificial light at night can disrupt bird migration in a variety of ways, including disorienting birds from their routes and causing collisions with buildings, resulting in millions of bird fatalities each year. New Britain Township is part of the Atlantic Flyway, one of our nation’s four migration flyways.
The Lights Out Program is voluntary and encourages residents/business owners to turn off or dim exterior and interior lighting from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., through Nov. 15, and again from April 1 to May 31. During those months, the public is asked to limit or eliminate the outdoor light their homes and businesses emit. Motion activated lighting and lighting with warm colored bulbs (amber) can also be helpful, if turning off lighting is not possible.
By supporting Lights Out, New Britain Township joins a nationwide effort which includes neighboring communities, such as Chalfont Borough, Doylestown Township and Doylestown Borough; and cities such as Philadelphia and Harrisburg. For more information, please visit https://www.audubon.org/our-work/cities-and-towns/lights-out
Live bird migration can be tracked here: https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/
