NYC Audubon’s “Project Safe Flight” Initiative is Saving Migratory Birds

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Credit: Sophie Butcher

For over two decades, NYC Audubon volunteers have dedicated themselves to helping birds migrate safely through New York City via the Project Safe Flight initiative.

Every spring and fall, millions of birds repeat their ancient cycle of migration. This huge variety of birds — from songbirds, raptors and hummingbirds to shorebirds — journey along the “Atlantic Flyway”. Tragically, they encounter two relatively new threats: glass windows and artificial nighttime lighting.

Birds do not detect clear glass as a barrier nor understand reflections in the glass. In addition, artificial night-time lighting has been shown to attract and disorient many birds, including most songbirds, that migrate at night. Sadly, many die on impact. According to NYC Audubon’s research, between 90,000 and 230,000 of these migrating birds are killed in the City each year in collisions with building glass

NYHC Audubon’s Project Safe Flight initiative is seeking solutions throuogh research to better understand the relationship between night-time lighting and bird deaths from collisions. And with the help of volunteers they are working to reduce bird deaths from window collisions in New York City

  • COLLISION MONITORING: Project Safe Flight volunteers walk regular routes during spring and fall migration to find dead and injured birds. The data helps to pinpoint the City’s deadliest buildings. Armed with this information, NYC Audubon works toward actionable change that can make a difference in the lives of migratory birds that call our city home.

  • BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDING DESIGN: The NYC Audubon advocates for city and state legislation that mandates bird-friendly building practices. They also educate and work with policy-makers, developers, architects, and building owners to use bird-friendly design principles.

  • ARTIFICIAL LIGHT: The amount of light emitted by a building strongly predicts the number of collisions it will cause. NYC Audubon’s advocacy plans include legislation requiring a reduction in artificial night-time lighting during spring and fall migration. 

  • TRIBUTE IN LIGHT MONITORING: Each September 11, volunteers monitor the National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s Tribute in Light to prevent migrating birds from coming to harm. Research has demonstrated that the Memorial’s twin beams can attract bird densities up to 150 times higher than when the lights are not on.

Broadway Stages thanks the NYC Audbon and the team of Project Safe Flight volunteers for their time and commitment to make our city safer for our winged neighbors. We encourage you to join us in supportng the efforts of NYC Audobon as a volunteer, by becoming a member or making a donation.