It’s that time of the year, folks. Pumpkin spice lattes are brewing, trees are going from green to brown, and, of course, the fall bird migration.

Each year during the spring and fall, nearly 50 million birds travel through the North Carolina night sky. As our feathered friends pass over big cities, they can become disoriented by bright artificial lights and sky glow, often causing them to crash into buildings + windows.

For example, in 2019, hundreds of migratory chimney swifts were injured after flying into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown.

Let’s lend a helping hand with Lights Out, North Carolina.

What is Lights Out, North Carolina?

The initiative started in 2021 by the bird conservation organization, Audubon North Carolina, and expanded state-wide with the help of the Mecklenburg Audobon Society. The goal is to reduce migratory bird deaths by turning off non-essential lights.

Chminey swifts are one of the many birds with season migratory routes through Charlotte. | Photo via WCNC

How to participate

Charlotteans can help the birds in a variety of ways:

Turning off non-essential lights nightly between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Not using landscape lighting in trees or gardens
Using light shields on home security systems
Closing the blinds to reduce light emission outdoors

Do you or know someone who owns a non-residential building? They can get involved using this resource kit for structures taller than three stories.

When is fall migration?

Fall migration began on Thursday, Aug. 15 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 30. Peak migration started Thursday, Sept. 5 and runs through Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Want to learn more? Mecklenburg Audubon Society offers a list of birding hot spots to see native birds. The Audubon also partners with Wing Haven to present a series of monthly birding lectures.