Artificial light is a side effect of industrial civilization. However, unlike other forms of pollution, it can be easily reversed. The solution can be as easy as turning off lights when they are not necessary and using directed light fixtures and more appropriate bulbs.
Downtown Pagosa Springs and along the San Juan River, as well as the Pagosa Lakes area, are important riparian zones providing a habitat for many species of plants and animals. Wildlife use riparian vegetation more than any other vegetation type.
Billions of birds migrate across the U.S. annually, making the preservation of these habitats extremely important. Colorado is a travel corridor for many migrating birds, which happens every spring and fall.
Did you know most birds migrate at night when it’s cooler and calmer? Free of daytime thermals, the atmosphere is more stable, making it easier to maintain a steady course. Migration season runs from the beginning of March to mid-June, with May being a particularly busy month for birds.
In the fall, they migrate starting in August through mid-November.
Scientists at BirdCast apply weather radar to gather information on the numbers, flight directions, speeds and altitudes of birds, which has given us a better understanding of migratory bird movement.
This May, let’s all welcome back the waterfowl, shore birds, songbirds, woodpeckers and raptors, including swallows, swifts, hummingbirds, finches and warblers.
In the global effort to reduce light pollution, the term dark sky describes a sky that isn’t lit by skyglow or light pollution.
Migratory birds must contend with light pollution and can become disoriented, confused and exhausted. Businesses and homeowners can help protect migrating birds by turning off all nonessential nighttime lighting. Turning off lights dramatically reduces hazards from attraction to and disorientation by light, allowing birds to safely proceed with their migratory journeys.
Learn more about the Lights Out Program at www.audubon.org/our-work/cities-and-towns/lights-out.
Limiting light pollution is a community-wide effort. Each of us can make a difference by making inexpensive, simple changes to outdoor lighting as defined by DarkSky International, the globally recognized authority on light pollution.
We urge the use of dark sky-friendly fixtures that are downward-facing and fully shielded with bulbs that are only as bright as are needed for the task and are warm in color. Outdoor home lighting need not be more than 450 lumens and a correlated color temperature of 2,700K.
Installing motion sensors and timers so that lights are only on when needed is an excellent option. Help us keep Pagosa a dark destination for wildlife, as well as the residents and tourists who actively participate in studying and protecting them.
We thank you, and so do the birds.
