Lights Out Bend seeks to help migrating birds

Lights Out Bend is an organization that focuses on getting local communities to turn their lights off after sunset, to help local bird migration.

Group co-coordinator Mary Ann Kruse spoke to us Wednesday about the importance of the program.

“In Central Oregon, we have well over 150 different species of songbirds that migrate during the spring, summer and fall,” Kruse said.

Shutting off lights can have a major positive effect on those species/

“Nationally, over 1 billion birds die each year from light pollution, window collisions, etc.,” Kruse said.

Lights Out Bend aims to help all of Central Oregon to either turn off unwanted lights or use blinds and shades to help prevent birds from seeing indoor light.

As far as outdoor lights go, they urge you to try a hooded cover, especially for porch lights.

Lights Out Bend aims to join other cities like New York and improve local wildlife populations by protecting birds from window collisions and light pollution.

“The birds can become disoriented and lost in cities, which can even allow them to lose their lives,” Kruse said. “Also, reflective windows can cause injury or death to migratory songbirds.”

You can visit lightsoutbend.com for more information on how to adjust your windows and lights to help protect the High Desert’s songbirds in their travels.