Fall bird migration is approaching — you can help give these nocturnal migrants safe passage on their journey.
Designing outdoor lighting isn’t just about the aesthetics. It plays a huge role in supporting local ecosystems, protecting nocturnal wildlife and maintaining our precious dark skies.
Here’s a guide to help you assemble your lighting in a way that looks beautiful, is wildlife friendly and helps preserve our dark skies for stargazing.
General principles
- Only illuminate what’s necessary. Focus on paths, doorways and gathering areas. Avoid floodlights or large area lights unless motion-activated for safety.
- Choose warm color temperature. Warmer tones (like amber or soft white) are less disruptive to insects, birds and nocturnal animals.
- Use shielded fixtures — full cutoff or downward-facing lights — to block upward and sideways light and reduce glare.
- Install motion sensors and timers to reduce constant light pollution.
| Location | Lighting Tips |
| Pathways | Use low bollard lights or shielded step lights directed downward only. |
| Entryways | Choose wall sconces with fully shielded covers. Install no higher than necessary. |
| Patios | Use amber string lights or install dimmable wall sconces. |
| Driveways | Use low-height lights with motion sensors; avoid tall poles or spotlights. |
| Tree/Plants | Avoid uplighting trees — it disorients birds and insects; use ground-level, shielded accent lights if needed. |
| Fences/Walls | Use soft, shielded sconces or solar lights that direct light downward. |
| Pools/Ponds | To avoid reflecting light into the sky, use underwater lights or low shielded lighting only where absolutely needed. |
With fall bird migration approaching, now is a good time to start getting in the habit of turning off any non-essential lighting.
| Species / Best Time to Spot Monarch butterflies – Early to mid-October – Often alongside bird migration Hummingbirds – August–September – Hundreds of ruby-throated hummingbirds stopover Raptors (hawks, kestrels) – September–October – Watch from ridges or open fields Whooping cranes (rare but magical!) – Late October–November |
