Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Proclaim Bird Safe Awareness Months

Millions of birds migrate at night, and city lights can pull them off course at the worst possible time. On Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County took a clear public step to reduce that risk by issuing a joint proclamation naming spring and fall migration periods as Bird Safe Awareness months. City Council member Kimberly Owens read the proclamation in Monday’s City Council meeting.

The proclamation identifies March through May and September through November as the key awareness periods. During those months, residents and businesses are urged to turn out all non-essential lighting between 11 PM and 6 AM and to update essential outdoor lighting so it follows responsible lighting practices.

For Charlotte, the message is simple: safer skies begin with darker nights.

Kimberly Owens delivers the printed proclamation to supporters Bird Safe Charlotte.

The proclamation recognizes peak migration seasons

The joint proclamation focuses on the two times of year when migratory birds face the greatest risk from artificial light at night.

Spring migration runs from March through May, when birds move north to nesting grounds. Fall migration runs from September through November, when many species travel south for the winter. A large share of that movement happens after dark.

Bright, upward-facing, or unnecessary lighting can confuse birds as they move through urban areas. Some birds circle lit buildings endlessly, leading to exhaustion and disorientation, making them more susceptible to collisions with windows.

By naming these months, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County give residents, building managers, property owners, and institutions a shared calendar for action. The proclamation does not ask people to stop using light where it is needed. It asks the community to use light with care.

That difference matters. A safer nighttime environment can still be a safe human environment when outdoor lighting is thoughtful, targeted, and limited to what is truly needed.

What residents and businesses are being asked to do

The proclamation urges all residents and businesses to protect birds during peak migration by turning out all non-essential lighting between 11 PM and 6 AM. This can make a building, home, storefront or public space less hazardous for birds moving through the Charlotte region.

Essential lighting should not simply stay the same. The proclamation also calls for updates that align with the principles for responsible outdoor lighting. In practical terms, responsible lighting usually means light that is:

• Useful

  Installed only where it serves a real purpose

• Targeted

  Pointed downward and shielded so it does not spill into the sky

• Low level

  No brighter than necessary for the task

• Controlled

  Managed with timers, motion sensors, or curfews

• Warm in color

  Less harsh than bright white or blue-rich lighting

  
  

For many properties, the first step is not a major project. It may be as simple as changing timer settings, closing blinds at night, dimming fixtures after hours, or redirecting a light that currently shines outward or upward.

Bird Safe Charlotte volunteer Mary Claire Wall shares the proclamation.

Take part during Bird Safe Awareness months

The best part of this effort is that participation is simple. During March, April, May, September, October, and November, check lights before going to bed or before leaving a building for the night.

Bird-safe lighting also has benefits beyond migration. It can reduce glare, cut wasted energy, improve nighttime visibility, and make outdoor spaces feel calmer. The goal is not darkness everywhere. The goal is better light where light is needed.

A shared commitment for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

The proclamation names spring and fall migration as Bird Safe Awareness months.

The joint action by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County gives local bird protection efforts a stronger public platform. It also makes the request easy to repeat across the community.

During Bird Safe Awareness months, the ask is clear:

Turn out non-essential lights between 11 PM and 6 AM during spring and fall migration, and make necessary lighting more responsible.

That is a practical commitment. It does not require perfection. It asks people to notice what is on, decide what is needed, and reduce the glow that can harm migrating birds.

Darker overnight skies can help migrating birds pass through safely.

Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have now put Bird Safe Awareness months on the calendar. The next step belongs to everyone who controls a switch, a timer, a fixture, or a window shade.

When the migration months arrive, turn out what is not needed. Aim and soften what must stay on. Small changes across many homes and buildings can help more birds continue safely on their journey.