Protecting birds: Omaha companies turn off lights, lower window shades during peak migration periods

[Omaha Steve]

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BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Union Pacific is among the Omaha companies taking steps to protect migratory birds, which can be drawn by brightly lit buildings and fly right into windows. Lowering shades until midmorning and turning off lights at night can help reduce bird strikes. Here, Mark Davis, a U.P. spokesman, raises the shades on the 15th floor of the U.P. building at 1400 Douglas St.


http://www.omaha.com/money/protecting-birds-companies-turn-off-lights-lower-window-shades-during/article_a4d2840d-f25d-5d54-b1f9-877c3c71d110.html

POSTED: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 1:00 AM
By Janice Podsada / World-Herald staff writer

From nightfall until the wee hours of the morning, the population of downtown Omaha soars.

March through June, hundreds of species of migratory birds fly above the city at night, guided by the stars or the Missouri River’s track.

But bright lights from the city’s office towers and high-rises can dazzle and lead to distracted flying.

Like most wildlife, birds are naturally attracted to the light. Swooping in for a closer look, “they see the light, but not the glass,” said Lindsay Rogers, a wildlife education specialist at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

FULL story at link.



BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Union Pacific has put up posters throughout its building asking employees to turn off unnecessary lights at the end of the workday and keep their window shades lowered until 10 a.m.

[catchnrelease]

1. That's great!

I'm glad to hear that some companies are trying to help with this problem. Hopefully it will catch on.

[Flaxbee]

2. Yes, wouldn't it be great if it other companies did this too!

Progress is slow ... but at least it's some progress.