HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/02/02-Attachments-IR 21-10539 Migratory Birds - Lights Out Dark SkiesINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10539
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Febuary 2, 2021
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r YA SUBJECT: MIGRATORY BIRDS —LIGHTS OUT/DARK SKIES INITIATIVE
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Issue
In 2019, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its research partners identified ten cities considered to be
most dangerous to migratory birds due to light pollution. This list of cities was determined by analyzing the
migratory paths of birds, the estimated number of birds in migration, and the amount of artificial lighting in
these cities at night. Artificial light can affect migratory bird behavior and can lead to bird death. Dallas was
listed as the third most dangerous city for birds during both the spring and fall migration. In the fall of 2020,
the City of Dallas partnered with Downtown Dallas, Inc. to reduce the amount of artificial light emitted from
downtown Dallas in an effort to decrease migratory bird death. Fort Worth was not listed as one of the top
ten most dangerous cities for birds. However, due to the city's proximity to Dallas and location along
migratory routes, some residents have requested Fort Worth to take action and to assist in mitigating
migratory bird deaths caused by night-time emittance of artificial light pollution in our community.
Artificial Light Pollution and Migratory Bird Death
Migratory birds are those which move between breeding grounds and wintering grounds seasonally,
generally breeding in the north and overwintering in the south. According to research, approximatley 70%
of U.S. bird species are migratory, and approximately 80% of these migratory birds will travel at night.
Generally, migrations peak during a period of a few weeks in both the spring (mid -April through mid -May)
and the fall (mid -September through mid -October). The City of Fort Worth is located within a major flyway
or migration path. Millions of migratory birds will travel through Texas at night, each fall and spring.
Studies show that light pollution can contribute to migratory bird death. Artificial light, like that emitted from
lighted buildings after dark, can attract birds and cause them to alter flight paths. According to studies,
birds attracted to artificial light have collided with reflective building surfaces or structures near light
sources. Research partners estimate 600 million migratory birds are killed as a result of such collisions,
each year. Because the majority of birds migrate over a relatively short period of time each season, it is
suggested that many of these collisions can be avoided by reducing the amount of artificial light during
peak migration times.
Options for Reducing Light Pollution During Bird Migration
Researchers have suggested that migratory bird deaths can be prevented through turning off artificial
lights at night during migratory season and through education efforts to encourage others to take similar
actions, where possible. The Lights Out Texas initiative calls for excess lighting to be turned off during
peak bird migration periods (spring and fall) between the hours of 11:00 pm to 6:00 am. Peak migration
dates can be determined by monitoring migration information from official sources. In response to
requests from residents, staff are coordinating with Downtown Fort Worth Inc, in an effort to reduce lights
during the height of bird migration.
For more information on the Lights Out Texas initiative, visit: https://birdcast.info/science-to-action/lights-
out/I ig hts-out-texas/
For questions regarding this information, please contact Brandon Bennett, Code Compliance Director, at
817-391-6322.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS