A deadly strike for migrating birds

A deadly strike for migrating birds

On a warm May morning this spring, Kandace Glanville walked past Mirror Lake on The Ohio State University campus, gingerly holding a paper lunch bag in her right hand. She strode through dewy grass until she reached the edge of a small wooded area just west of Browning Amphitheatre. Glanville squatted, removed the paper clip securing the bag, and reached in. She pulled out a Bay-breasted Warbler, a tiny bird just 5.5 inches long, stunned from colliding with a window on campus earlier that morning.

Toledo’s tallest buildings dimming the lights to help birds migrate through the area

Toledo’s tallest buildings dimming the lights to help birds migrate through the area

It’s known as the biggest week in American birding and for good reason. “We’ve got three big migratory fronts coming through, and they all come through here all at the same time of year,” Don Bauman from California said. Every year birds of all kinds pass through Northwest Ohio as they head north for the summer. Not far behind the feathered creatures are those who enjoy watching them on their way.

“Lights Out Cleveland” Hopes To Save Migratory Birds With The Flip Of A Light Switch

“Lights Out Cleveland” Hopes To Save Migratory Birds With The Flip Of A Light Switch

Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate over Ohio but they face a threat along their way — nighttime collisions with brightly lit buildings that leave birds either injured or dead. Tim Jasinski’s group of volunteers is just one aspect of Lights Out Cleveland — the other? Convincing building owners to flip the switch, overnight.