Researchers report links between light and bird migration at the September 11th "Tribute in Light Memorial" in New York City, finding that birds slowed down, congregated in high densities, and increased vocal activity at the Tribute while it was illuminated; the observed effects did not persist after the installation was extinguished, suggesting that artificial lighting at night, even in heavily urbanized areas, might disrupt nocturnal bird migration.
###
Article #17-08574: "High-intensity urban light installation dramatically alters nocturnal bird migration," by Benjamin Van Doren et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Patricia Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY; tel: 607-254-2137, 607-708-0059; e-mail: <pel27@cornell.edu>
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences