Commissioners approve Lights Out for the birds

The Travis County Commissioners Court has approved a resolution to encourage all county residents and businesses “to turn off non-essential lights at night to help save migrating birds.” Lights Out Texas, a statewide initiative, asks for all non-essential lights to be turned off from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. during the peak spring bird migration period, April 19-May 7. Migrating birds “use the moon, stars and sun to navigate, and light pollution can throw them off course and cause disorientation and collisions with buildings,” according to Travis Audubon. Each year, millions of songbirds are killed when they become disoriented by artificial light and collide with buildings. Protecting birds is as simple as flicking a switch and turning the lights off. An added benefit is the energy saved by conserving electricity.