By Ed Jones
The Linnton neighborhood has long suffered from industrial light spill. But it is not just people who find those lights annoying, birds do not like them either, and can become distracted and lost.
On behalf of those birds, Portland Audubon has started a Bird-Safe Campaign. Mary Coolidge, the Bird-Safe Campaign Coordinator, will appear at our March general membership meeting, Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 PM, to discuss steps that businesses (and homeowners) can take to reduce the danger to birds created by artificial light.
Steps you can take to follow best practices at home:
1. Turn off your outdoor lights when you are not using them.
2. Ensure that your outside lights aim down and are well-shielded.
3. Install motion sensors on your outside lights so that they are only on when needed.
4. Choose warm bulbs (3,000 kelvins or under) when converting outdoor lights to LED.
5. During migration seasons, draw your blinds or curtains to reduce light spill.
6. If the streetlight in front of your house shines light into your house, request a shield from the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
7. Email regional decision makers to let them know that you are enrolled in the Take the Pledge program, and that you support Portland Audubon’s Lights Out campaign!
8. Sign up for Portland Audubon’s Lights Out email list.
Learn More:
• Learn more about Lights Out campaign: audubonportland.org/our-work/protect/habitat-and-wildlife/urban/reducing-wildlife-hazards/bird-safe-building/lights-out
• For more info: Mary Coolidge, Bird-Safe Campaign Coordinator, Portland Audubon at mcoolidge@audubonportland.org
• Request a light shield from PBOT – www.portland.gov/transportation/traffic-operations/streetlight-shield
• PEAK Fall Migration: Sept. 19-Oct. 19. PEAK Spring Migration: April 15-May 19.