When I first moved to San Juan Island, most areas on the island the night skies were black and the stars were bright. Now every year I see more and more lights that burn all night, creating sky glow that dims the stars and planets.

But this time of year there is a more important reason to keep the skies dark, bird migration. Last night, over 6 million birds flew over Washington State on their fall migration. Most migrating birds fly in the night sky and are vulnerable to a host of conditions, and a big one of these is exhaustion due to disorienting light in the night sky. Birds will waste large amounts of needed energy from night lights flying around and calling out in confusion on their long journeys.

There are ways you can help birds along their migration paths. All outside lights should be motion sensor lights or on a timer, there is no reason for them to burn bright all night. Use down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and pull-down window shades at night. Even the town of Friday Harbor and the airport can use the new lighting technology to eliminate sky glow and keep our skies dark.

Let’s all work together to keep the island skies dark, not only to help the birds but so we can all look up at night and enjoy the twinkle of the stars, glow of the planets and streaks from meteors.

Joseph Franetic

San Juan Island