When birds migrate, they move from areas of low and decreasing resources to areas of high and increasing resources usually in search of food and nesting habitat. Evidence suggests that birds have been migrating for at least hundreds of thousands of years.
The Mississippi River is an important migratory corridor or flyway in the U.S. for 300 bird species. Each spring and fall millions of birds journey through St. Louis on their way to wintering or nesting grounds along the way seeking food, shelter, and safe passage.
Birds cannot perceive most glass as a barrier, and often strike glass windows that reflect the sky or nearby greenery. Most birds migrate at night using the stars to navigate and are drawn to city lights in urban areas along their migratory flyways.
Due to our location along the Mississippi River, coupled with the lack of prevention, St. Louis is typically among the deadliest cities for migrating birds.
Fortunately, there are easy solutions, starting with turning off lights in buildings, which by the way saves money too! And, there are examples of bird-friendly leaders who are doing the right thing for birds here in the Mound City who we can learn from! The Gateway Arch goes dark in September and our friends at St. Louis Public Radio have made their building bird-friendly with decals and other preventive window strike strategies. Even more, there are organizations ready and willing to help. Check out St. Louis Audubon Society, DarkSky, and National Audubon Society websites for starters!
If you work in a tall building anywhere in the St. Louis Region, share this information with your building owners or superintendents. Deadliest Cities for Migrating Birds is not a list we want to be on, and the solution is quite simple – Turn off the lights!
Building collisions kill up to a billion birds each year—but many of these deaths can be prevented. As we celebrate fall migration, learn how you can help birds travel more safely and what Audubon and our chapters are doing to advocate on behalf of birds: https://bit.ly/3tkH1Yw
Owner and Founder of Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal Inc a 501c3 charity organization. Author of the book Tip of the Spear. Retired Green Beret and Project Manager certified.
1moHaving family in Ruidoso and being here in Ukraine, it's amazing to see WCK on the ground ready to help those affected the same as they do in Ukraine and around the world. Amazing