Safe Flight, Everyone
Keep the Rivertowns’ Sky Dark for the Migration Season
By Suzy Allman, TEAC Member
Each spring, millions of birds travel north under the cover of darkness, following ancient migration routes along the Atlantic Flyway. Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow lie directly in their path.
From March through May, warblers, thrushes, orioles, tanagers, vireos, and flycatchers pass overhead on their way to breeding grounds across the Northeast and Canada. Dozens of other migrating species depend on safe nighttime passage.
But artificial light at night can disorient migrating birds. Bright, upward-facing, or unshielded lighting pulls birds off course, causing them to circle repeatedly, collide with buildings, or exhaust themselves before they reach stopover habitat like the Tarrytown Lakes or the Hudson River shoreline.
Studies show that turning off unnecessary lights during peak migration can significantly reduce bird mortality.
Tarrytown has an opportunity each spring and fall to be part of the solution.
Why Darkness Matters in the Northeast
Unlike daytime migrants such as hawks, most songbirds migrate at night. They use the stars, the moon, and subtle geomagnetic cues to navigate. In heavily-lit areas—from riverfront properties to commercial buildings—skyglow can obscure those cues.
The Hudson River corridor is a major migration route. On certain peak nights, thousands of birds may pass over Westchester County in a single evening. Even small changes—like dimming decorative lighting or turning off empty office lights—can make a measurable difference.
What Residents and Businesses Can Do
Simple actions add up. During spring migration (March 15–May 31), consider:
- Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting after 10 p.m.
- Switch off interior lights in empty rooms and office spaces overnight.
- Use motion sensors or timers instead of leaving lights on all night.
- Install shielded, downward-facing fixtures to prevent light from spilling upward.
- Choose warm-colored bulbs (3000K or lower) rather than bright blue-white LEDs.
- Close blinds and curtains at night to reduce light escaping from windows.
- Dim or temporarily turn off decorative landscape and façade lighting.
- Encourage your building management or HOA to adopt bird-safe lighting practices.
Even one dark building on a bright block can help migrating birds reorient and continue safely on their journey.
Tappan Zee Bridge Takes Part in Annual Dark Skies
The old Tappan Zee Bridge will dim its aesthetic lights from 11 pm until dawn during peak migration periods. And on April 22, the bridge will go dark in celebration of Earth Day, from sundown to sunrise.
The Thruway Authority is partnering with the Rockland Audubon Society and other regional conservation groups to adjust their lighting practices. Roadway lights will remain on for safety during migration periods, including Earth Day.
Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council will be promoting Dark Skies for Migrating Birds during Earth Month. Watch for colorful posters in windows of restaurants and shops in the Business Districts of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.