Announcing the Skyline Heroes Building Pledge Program
Each light turned out helps save migrating birds!
Most North American migratory birds fly at night, and lights on buildings can disorient birds on their paths, resulting in fatal collisions. The Upper Texas Coast plays a key role on the Central Flyway, an important migratory path for birds. Birds that move along and across the Gulf of Mexico depend on safe passage through the Houston-Galveston area. Throughout migration, and particularly during storm fronts, turning Lights Out for Birds can make a big difference.
While tall buildings are a major threat, most collisions occur with buildings between 1-3 stories, so it's extremely important for individuals to go Lights Out for Birds! Buildings 3+ stories can pledge to be a Skyline Hero below.
The Ask: Turn off all nonessential lights from 11 PM to 6 AM throughout spring and fall migration.
| Spring Migration | March 1–June 15 |
| Peak Spring Migration | April 22–May 12 |
| Fall Migration | August 15–November 30 |
| Peak Fall Migration | September 5–October 29 |
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see Lights Out Action Alerts for our region.
Building Managers: Become a Skyline Hero for Migrating Birds
Protecting migratory birds is a team effort, and your building can lead the charge. Our Skyline Heroes program celebrates the properties 3-stories and taller that are committed to bird-safe skies through the Lights Out initiative.
Simply fill out a brief pledge form detailing your commitment, and your building will earn a digital conservation seal of honor and public recognition on our website and social media platforms. We'll also send you seasonal reminder emails as we approach spring and fall migration. Help us keep the skies safe in our Bird City.
Pledge Level
| Good | We commit to turning off non-essential lighting on nights when there is a high migration forecast utilizing BirdCast Action Alerts |
| Better | We commit to turning off non-essential lighting during the peak spring & fall migration periods |
| Best | We commit to turning off non-essential lighting during the entire spring & fall migration period |
Houston Audubon provides recognition based on a good-faith commitment. By submitting the pledge form, partners certify they will adhere to Lights Out guidelines to the best of their ability.
Timeline
Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds Program started in 2017 after a large collision event in Galveston. Thanks to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Colorado State University’s BirdCast bird migration forecast maps, Houston Audubon staff were able to track migration predictions for the region and issue alerts to the community when a chance of high migration coincided with weather events. Learn about the history of the Lights Out program.
Resources
Houston skyline photo by Daniel Sheire/Cornell Lab of Ornithology
