As gardeners, we spend a lot of time observing nature up close B次元官网网址� When will my tomatoes turn red? WhatB次元官网网址檚 eating my hosta? WhatB次元官网网址檚 that white stuff on my peonies? B次元官网网址� and we react as needed to ensure our plants survive and thrive.

But there are other, sometimes overlooked, garden residents that need our help, too: birds.

A recent study jointly conducted by scientists at Fordham University, the NYC Bird Alliance, the American Bird Conservancy and Stony Brook University in New York found that kill more than 1 billion birds annually in the U.S., mostly at homes and other lower buildings.

That number is likely even higher because birds can hit a window, become injured and fly away, then die elsewhere or be taken by a predator, said Connie Sanchez, program manager for bird-friendly buildings at the National Audubon Society.

But small changes by homeowners and renters can .

Many of the collisions are the direct result of the use of artificial lighting, such as from street, building or porch lights.

B次元官网网址淏irds are drawn to light, and artificial light is drawing them off of their migratory paths and confusing them as they get closer to the light, so they collide with buildings and windows,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said. B次元官网网址淥r theyB次元官网网址檙e led to circle in confusion, call out (in distress) and then land, drained of energy.B次元官网网址�

The number of window strikes soars during the seasonal spring and fall periods, when birds migrate to and from their breeding homes. Sanchez said. ThatB次元官网网址檚 because they rely on B次元官网网址渃elestial cuesB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� light from the moon and stars B次元官网网址� to navigate the night sky. And night-migrating small songbirds, like sparrows, warblers and thrushes, are at the highest risk of collisions.

Light pollution isnB次元官网网址檛 unique to downtowns with lighted skylines

B次元官网网址淪urprisingly, research shows that 56% (of all bird collisions occur) at low-rise buildings just one to two stories (tall), 44% at residences and less than 1% at high-rise buildings,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said.

Almost all the bird strikes occur at B次元官网网址渉omes, schools and places of business outside of downtown areas, where homeowners or renters can make a difference by assessing their own windows and looking at their own lighting.B次元官网网址�

First, turn off unnecessary lights

The National Audubon SocietyB次元官网网址檚 Lights Out Program encourages residents, businesses, building owners and managers B次元官网网址渢o turn off excess lighting during the months migrating birds are flying overheadB次元官网网址� to provide them safe passage between their nesting and wintering grounds.B次元官网网址�

At my suburban New York home, that means turning off landscape lighting and keeping the porch light off overnight between mid-August and mid-November, and especially during October, when fall migration is at its peak here.

Migration in other regions will peak at different times B次元官网网址� visit the to find migration periods windows in your county.

B次元官网网址淲e can make the skies safer for birds by reducing the amount and intensity of exterior lighting and using only whatB次元官网网址檚 necessary,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said.

She recommends pointing landscape lights downward, using timers and sensors, and shortening their duration.

Indoor lights can be an issue, too

Interior lighting thatB次元官网网址檚 visible through windows also poses a threat. Close blinds or shades at night and turn off lights when theyB次元官网网址檙e not needed, Sanchez advised.

Put visual markers on windows

Birds donB次元官网网址檛 perceive glass as a barrier but instead see the reflection of their habitat or the sky.

B次元官网网址淲e need to help them see thereB次元官网网址檚 a barrier (by providing) ,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said.

Patterns, for example, can be created on window glass with tape, stickers or washable tempera paint. Perforated vinyl film, which makes the glass appear opaque from the outside, and marker-pattern tape are also effective defensive barriers, she said.

B次元官网网址淭he key is to ensure the patterns or artwork are densely spaced so a small bird, like a hummingbird, wonB次元官网网址檛 try to fly through,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said.

Physical barriers, like screens installed outside windows, also provide visual deterrents.

B次元官网网址淭his is a bigger problem than we realized,B次元官网网址� Sanchez said. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 necessarily see birds dying on a regular basis, but it is happening. So, whatever we can do in our own homes, in our own spaces, would really be very helpful.B次元官网网址�