Millions of birds migrate over Toronto every spring and fall on their way to nesting grounds in the north or wintering grounds in the south. Each journey is long and arduous, an amazing accomplishment for those who arrive at their destination. Many do not survive. They may encounter stormy weather, air pollution, predators or any number of hazards. Toronto has taken this unprecedented step because many of North America's migratory bird species are suffering significant population declines. Pesticide use, predation by cats, climate change and habitat loss are responsible for huge losses of native birds, but collisions with buildings has become one of the major causes of death to migratory birds worldwide Bird biologists estimate that one to 10 birds on average will hit each building each year. In Toronto, that translates into one to 10 million deaths annually. Extensive night lighting of tall structures may cause night-migrating birds to hit the buildings, often fatally. (Night migrants use the stars and the moon as navigational tools and may mistake the glow from towers as celestial lights.) Artificial illumination is especially confusing to birds on foggy or rainy nights. It is also a problem when cloud cover is low and birds naturally migrate at lower altitudes. Glass is even more dangerous for birds since it occurs everywhere in urban centres. Glass walls and windows that reflect the surrounding environment or suggest the possibility of safe passage through an immoveable, invisible surface kill and injure countless birds every day. Everyone can contribute to making our city safer for migrants. Start by turning lights off when they are not in use, especially if you work in an office tower. Staff working late can use task lighting at work stations and turn off ceiling lights closest to windows. Building owners and managers can make sure that lights are out at night on unused floors. Lighting control systems can be installed to reduce energy consumption, save money and protect birds' lives. It is important to turn off all exterior floodlights during spring and fall migration. Make glass visible to birds by covering the windows with film treatments or netting (including screens on the outside of the window) or by erecting metal grillwork that gives birds an alternate point of focus. Using frosted, sandblasted or stained glass, or glass block, in home or commercial construction can eliminate bird collisions with reflective surfaces. If you find a bird that has hit a window, gently place the bird inside a cardboard box or unwaxed paper bag. Make sure that the bird is sitting upright. If it is not, make a donut shape out of a piece of tissue paper and place the bird inside it. Placing tissue in the bottom of the box or bag is a really good idea in any situation, since it gives the bird something to perch on. Do not handle the bird more than necessary because handling by humans (who they perceive as predators) is extremely stressful to small birds. Do not give any food or water. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation facility immediately for further instructions: Toronto Wildlife Centre at 416-631-0662 or Earth Rangers at 905-417-3447. Wash your hands after handling a wild bird. FLAP, a bird rescue organization whose mission is to ensure safe passage for migratory birds through urban areas, is playing a major role in the campaign. The City of Toronto and FLAP have mapped the downtown core identifying commercial buildings where bird collisions are likely to be a concern. As a result, the number of bird rescue zones covered by volunteers has increased and new "holding stations" where members of the public can leave injured birds have been established. The beauty and diversity of native bird species greatly enhances our appreciation of the natural world, especially in cities. Birds are essential to a healthy environment: they consume billions of insects daily (including mosquitoes), disperse countless seeds, and pollinate plants. They contribute significantly to our economy - birdwatching has become the second most popular leisure activity in North America. By making Toronto safer for migratory birds we are ensuring the biodiversity of our urban environment, which means healthier living for everyone. Birds as diverse as tiny Ruby-throated hummingbirds, White-throated Sparrows (whose song is the quintessential call of the north), colourful Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, magnificent Peregrine Falcons and diminutive Saw-whet Owls are among the 158 species recorded as victims of collisions with Toronto buildings. By participating in the Lights Out Toronto! campaign we can all help these birds and contribute to a richer environment.

Lights Out Toronto! was developed in collaboration with over a dozen community partners and reflects a strong cross-section of non-profit environmental organizations, business and government agencies. To learn more about the key stakeholders and their contributions to this program visit www.toronto.ca/lightsout. To learn more about how you can protect migratory birds contact 416-366-FLAP (3527) or visit www.toronto.ca/lightsout. HOME