Saturday marked World Migratory Bird Day, and ornithologists everywhere want to remind us all that we have an important part to play in seasonal bird migration: reducing light pollution.
Birds migrate at night to take advantage of cooler temps, calmer winds, and fewer predatory threats. But light pollution from street lamps, tall buildings, and even porch lights can make their journey more difficult, if not outright dangerous. The National Audubon Society spearheads the Lights Out program, a countrywide initiative to encourage home and building owners to turn off or reduce unnecessary lighting during bird migration seasons.
In the name of advocacy and education, ornithologists at Colorado State University want to encourage you to check out BirdCast (no relation to City Cast 😉), a website that uses Doppler radar technology to track bird migration the same way meteorologists track rain and snow. Want to know how many birds and what kinds are flying over your house at night? Check out BirdCast’s Migration Dashboard to peruse all kinds of nightly bird migration data in your local county.
🔎 Learn more about BirdCast and World Migratory Bird Day in this Denver Post article.
Help Birds This Migration Season by Lowering Light Pollution
Peyton Garcia
Birds make their migration movements when the sun goes down. (Tyler D. Rickenbach / Getty Images)
Share article
Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Urban Almanac
Beware of the Emerald Ash Borer
The invasive pest has officially arrived in Denver.
Identifying the Plants and Wildlife in Your Neighborhood
A guide to finding out how to identify plants and animals, while also helping local scientists track biodiversity.
What is La Niña and How Does It Affect Colorado?
Experts are predicting a weak La Niña this winter. Here's what that means for Denver and Colorado's snowfall.
These Frozen Ice Waves Are a Colorado Wintertime Phenomenon that You Have to See to Believe
It's magical Colorado wintertime phenomenon.
How Colorado is Helping Bring Back the Black-Footed Ferret
The endangered black-footed ferret had almost completely disappeared from existence, but in recent years, Colorado has helped turn things...
What is the Colorado Tarantula 'Mate-gration'?
Right now, Colorado is smack dab in the middle of tarantula mating season, and it’s quite the spectacle.
What Even Is The Old Farmer's Almanac?
Colorado's weather forecasts for the 2024-25 winter are in — but can we trust them?
Protecting Colorado's Pollinators Just Got Easier
A new state law just upped Colorado's conservation game.
The latest in Denver
Best Bike Shops in Denver
Best Online Casinos for Real Money You Can Trust Today
Find the best online casinos for real money with fast payouts, big bonuses, and top games. Compare sites and start playing now.
Why Denverites Love Campus Cycles
Denver's Biking Community Sends a Clear Message: More Lanes, More Protection, and More Safe Streets
LGBTQ+ Owned Shops in Denver
These are the best places in Denver for Pride Month.
Why Denverites Love Art Club Coffee
Why Art Club Coffee is one of Denver's best queer-owned spaces.
Your Guide to Denver in June 2026
Recommendations of the best things to do in Denver this June.
Denver's Best Summertime Water Hangs
Here's how to spend some time on the water and cool off this summer.
