Supporters across North Carolina are participating in TogetherGreen volunteer projects across our state. These opportunities are part of over 200 TogetherGreen volunteer events occurring in dozens of cities across the country over the next year. Audubon and Toyota launched the TogetherGreen initiative in 2008 to help community-based organizations significantly expand their volunteer base and to foster diverse environmental leadership and fund innovative conservation ideas.
This blog post is showcasing just one of those opportunities to help conserve North Carolina’s natural resources and create healthy spaces for area wildlife and people. Learn about volunteer opportunities in your area by reading past blog posts.
By Lena Gallitano
Little did I know when Kim Brand emailed me the week of September 24, 2012 to join her in a pre-dawn walk in downtown Raleigh that two hours would make an indelible impression on my mind and in my heart. Kim is the “Lights Out Winston-Salem” coordinator for Forsyth Audubon and was visiting relatives yet wanted to take a few hours of her family weekend to see if Raleigh has buildings and lights that are impacting migrant birds.
Saturday, September 29, was a rainy and foggy evening – exactly the conditions that generally have fall and spring migrating birds flying at low levels where lights from buildings shining up through the fog and haze disorient them and their flight path. The results can be catastrophic as they crash into buildings or become so exhausted they fall to the ground and are taken by predators. Sunday morning, September 30, dawned with clearing weather and Raleigh’s lighted skyline was quite visible on the 6:00 am drive into downtown. Yet, a 15 square block area with the tallest buildings provided more evidence of tragedy than either Kim or I were expecting. First a resting but exhausted Black-throated Blue warbler that flew to safety as we approached. Next a stunned Swainson’s Thrush on the sidewalk that labored to fly into shrubs and hopefully safety. Then, a Common Yellowthroat that was trapped in a walled exit ramp from a parking garage that could not find the exit, but we managed to redirect it to safety. Then the tragedy began to unfold as we collected dead birds: collected dead birds: Swainson’s Thrush – 1; Ovenbird – 2; Common Yellowthroat – 2; Gray Catbird – 1. Four of these birds were within 20 feet of each other yet we could not see what had drawn them to the building. Near the end of our walk and at one fully lighted one-story shop, a female Common Yellowthroat was on the ground recovering from her trauma. We were able to catch her and provide safety hoping she would recover and could be released.
When I returned home, I had a message from a friend who knew of my morning foray into downtown Raleigh. She called to tell me her family had seen “two little yellow birds” dead on the sidewalk at North Hills on their morning outing. Both of these Common Yellowthroats were also collected. How many others terminally ended their long migration short of their destination in Raleigh on September 29-30? How many along the entire east coast? The United States? I cannot comprehend the magnitude of this unnecessary loss of life when a simple task my parents often required, “turn off the lights”, would save the lives of millions of these tiny, beautiful creatures that enrich our lives.
When I got home with the collected birds that will become part of the Museum of Natural Sciences collections, the Common Yellowthroat was rested and anxious for release. I took her into my garden and watched her fly from the safety of her resting place to the flower border that would provide plenty of cover for protection as well as worms and insects for her breakfast. She peered back at me as if to communicate her appreciation. With tears in my eyes, I bid her safe travels and hope that she understood how our connection has impacted my life.
Providing “lights out” for birds during spring and fall migration is not a difficult thing. Large cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC and others have formal programs. Here in North Carolina Winston Salem, Charlotte and Greensboro have programs begun by the local Audubon chapters. It does, however, require educating the public, coordination and cooperation with building owners and managers and the willingness and passion of one person in each community to take action. Will you be that person in your community?
To volunteer for the Lights Out program in your area please contact the following site leaders:
Greensboro
- When: Sept. 24-Nov.4
- Contact: Randall – rdhayes@ncat.edu
Downtown Winston-Salem
- When: Through Nov. 30
- Contact: Kim – lightsout@forsythaudubon.org
Uptown Charlotte
- When: Through Nov. 30
- Contact: Jill – jpalmer53@earthlink.net
