‘High' bird migration alert issued Friday night. Here's what Chicago-area residents should do

A “high” bird migration alert was issued for the Chicago area Friday night, with tens of thousands of birds expected to fly across the region.

BirdCast.org issued the alert, saying large numbers of birds will be on the move, with more than 28,000 expected to pass through the area during the nighttime and overnight hours.

More than 800 million birds were projected to migrate across the U.S. through Sunday, with the largest number by far, 445 million birds, expected Friday night. Migration numbers were expected to drop significantly over the weekend, with 206 million birds Saturday and 152 million Sunday. BirdCast.org lists both days as having “low” migration activity.

Bird watchers and enthusiasts are urging residents to help protect nocturnally migrating birds as they pass through the region.

Residents are advised to turn off non-essential lighting from 11 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday. Bright lights can attract and disorient birds, potentially leading to fatal collisions with buildings or exposing them to additional hazards during the day.

What else can people do to protect birds?

Along with dimming nonessential lights, the following steps are recommended:

• Aim exterior lights downward and ensure they’re well-shielded
• Close blinds or curtains to reduce light spill
• Avoid lighting lobbies, fountains, or plants that attract birds
• Bring cats inside during overnight hours

from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/6FdO5qa