According to BirdCast’s Migration Dashboard, an estimated 3,389,200 birds crossed Travis County overnight on just the evening of April 30-May 1, 2024. https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-453 One out of every three birds migrating in the United States this spring passes through our state, where they are attracted to and disoriented by light pollution. https://birdcast.info/science-to-action/lights-out/lights-out-texas/ Travis Audubon recommends that we: 1) turn off lights in unused spaces, 2) close curtains and blinds, 3) turn off exterior floodlights during migration, 4) select shielded lighting that is directed downwards, and 5) use task rather than overhead lighting if working late. https://travisaudubon.org/lights-out-texas
Not only birds are harmed by light pollution. Bats are also migratory, and their journey is fraught due to wind turbines and climate change. https://www.batcon.org/flight-of-the-night/ Citing new research about the effects of light pollution on struggling bat populations, Bat Conservation International similarly states that: “You can help by thinking twice before leaving a light on at night, or at the very least, using a motion control sensor or timer to reduce the amount of time the light is on.” https://www.batcon.org/new-paper-suggests-light-pollution-limits-bat-habitat/ You may have recently enjoyed seeing the first fireflies of the season. Light pollution is thought to contribute to their plummeting numbers, so Firefly Research & Conservation also recommends that we all: “Remove lights that are only for decoration, such as tree lighting or façade lighting.” https://www.firefly.org/light-pollution.html
Wildlife are mothers too. Austin Wildlife Rescue has guidance about the fledglings and baby mammals that you may encounter at this time of year: https://www.austinwildliferescue.org/foundawildanimal Please help nesting bird mothers and their babies by preventing them from colliding into your residential glass doors and windows. https://abcbirds.org/solutions/prevent-home-collisions World Migratory Bird Day is the day before Mother’s Day, and this year’s focus is on the importance of insects to migratory birds. https://www.migratorybirdday.org Bats likewise need insects like moths, populations of which have declined by 85 percent in the last 70 years. https://www.batcon.org/moths-its-whats-for-dinner The moth in this month’s photo is a Hummingbird Moth in a North Loop pocket prairie. You too can help wildlife mothers feed their babies by proactively conserving insects!
North Loop Neighborhood Association 