One of America’s most famous landmarks is going dark to help migrating birds
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis will turn off its exterior lights each night in September as billions of birds migrate south across North America, including many along the Mississippi Flyway.
Birds displayed unusual behavior in Cambridge, England, during a partial solar eclipse on Aug. 12. Skywatchers described the behavior as “losing their minds” as the moon moved across part of the sun.
One of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States will go dark at night throughout September as millions of birds make their seasonal journey south.
The exterior lights on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis will be turned off each night through the end of the month to help reduce the risk of disorienting birds migrating across the region.
St. Louis sits along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major migration routes used by birds traveling across North America in the fall. Around 40% of the nation's migratory waterfowl use the Mississippi River corridor throughout the year, with many species migrating at night when artificial lights can interfere with their journey, according to the National Park Service.
Gateway Arch at sunset in St. Louis, Missouri. (Getty Images/rruntsch)
The Gateway Arch lights have been turned off each migration season dating back to 2002. The practice takes place in both May and September, corresponding with the spring and autumn migrations.
More than 300 species of birds pass through the St. Louis area during migration season, including songbirds and waterfowl.
A flock of birds fly past the Gateway Arch on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The lights will return to their normal schedule at the beginning of October, after the peak of the autumn migration period has passed.
People living along the path of migrating birds can also help, according to the Audubon Society.
Keeping cats indoors during migration can protect songbirds passing through. At night, shut off outdoor lights to avoid disorienting birds in migration. Clear glass can also be deadly to birds who can’t distinguish it from their surrounding habitat. The Audubon Society recommends using stickers, paint or glass markers to break up the image of a glass surface. It is also important to regularly clean bird feeders to help prevent the spread of disease among the migrating bird population.
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