Over 10 million birds are expected grace Washington’s skies as spring migration peaks. Experts urge residents to dim lights to protect these migrating birds.
SEATTLE — Washington’s night sky will be filled with over 10 million birds in the coming nights as our state enters its peak spring migration season.
According to BirdCast data, on Thursday night, over 160 million birds will migrate across the country, including around 5.3 million birds through Washington.
During the spring and fall months, billions of birds migrate across the United States, mainly at night. In Washington state, the spring migration season typically peaks in late April to mid-May.
In the fall, peak migration is estimated to occur in mid-September to early October.
Researchers at BirdCast and Purdue University’s AeroEco Lab use radar, atmospheric data and modeling, historical records, and many other tools to study bird migration.
It helps researchers understand flight patterns and how artificial light and population impact migration patterns. Thanks to this research, we know more about when migrations peak, when and where birds stop, and how we can get involved to help their journey.
Researchers found that one of the biggest threats to migrating birds is artificial light. Brightly lit buildings and other forms of artificial light can attract and disorient birds, leading to confusion, exhaustion, and even collisions with buildings.
That’s where we can step in and help these feathery travelers. Scientists encourage all of us to join the “Lights Out” movement by turning off or dimming non-essential lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during critical migration periods.
Additionally, making buildings and windows more bird-friendly can help prevent bird collisions.
Here’s the migration forecast as provided by AeroEco Lab:
Thursday night:
- Washington: 5.3 million birds
- Seattle: 14,100 birds
- Spokane: 3,000 birds
- Tacoma: 6,700 birds
Lights Out Alert Level: HIGH
Friday night
- Washington: 4.4 million birds
- Seattle: 12,100 birds
- Spokane: 2,400 birds
- Tacoma: 5,800 birds
Lights Out Alert Level: HIGH
Saturday night:
- Washington: 3.4 million birds
- Seattle: 9,000 birds
- Spokane: 1,600 birds
- Tacoma: 4,600 birds
Lights Out Alert Level: LOW (Eastern Washington) to MEDIUM TO HIGH (Western and Central Washington)
You can track nightly real-time migration data using tools from BirdCast and AeroEco Lab.
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