Lights Out Alert issued for the night of August 26

Turn off outdoor lights + tune in at 7pm Aug. 26 to hear from a key scientist behind Lights Out Alerts.

19 Million birds are estimated to pass over the state of Wisconsin the night of August 26. Turning off all non-essential outdoor lights can help birds pass safely through the state.

Share the alert on Facebook | Share the alert on Instagram

Extremely high bird migration is forecasted over Wisconsin tonight, Aug. 26 as 19 million birds are forecast to fly over at night. The predicted high level of bird traffic is triggering a Lights Out Alert nearly statewide.

Serendipitously, the alert coincides with a free online presentation from a key scientist behind the alerts and bird migration forecasts! Dr. Kyle Horton of Purdue University’s Aeroeco Lab will share the science behind the alerts and how weather radar is used to forecast bird migration.

The session begins at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and is co-sponsored by SOS Save Our Songbirds, Lights Out Wisconsin, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Register now to join the discussion live
or receive a recorded version after.

Horton, other Purdue colleagues and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists use weather data to forecast bird migration intensity, when peak migration occurs, and more. Historically, peak migration has started Sept. 1 in some northern Wisconsin counties and a few days later in southern counties, weather radar data shows.

Lights Out Alerts are issued when bird traffic is expected to be in the top 10% of nights, of which there are typically 8 to 10 per season. People are urged to turn off non-essential outdoor lights overnight on alert nights from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and on other nights throughout the fall migration season ending in November.