Migratory Bird Day 2022

Montana Audubon helps host Helena’s 2022 Migratory Bird Day Celebration

In 2022, communities across the world are paying special attention to the impacts of light pollution on migratory bird species. We know that as spring approaches our night skies are filled with the chirps and cheeps of millions of night-time migrants. These birds need dark night skies to safely navigate between their breeding and nonbreeding grounds each spring and fall. 

Here in Helena, Montana Audubon is helping bring awareness to the issue by celebrating migratory birds the week of May 1st – 7th. We’re going to spread the message to “Dim the lights for birds at night” by presenting an online event May 5th, at 7pm, on zoom.  

In addition to presenting, we have joined Mission Mountain Audubon Society and the Montana Chapter of the International Dark Skies Association to engage volunteers in looking for bird fatalities during the spring and autumn migrations in Montana’s cities. This survey effort is based on National Audubon’s Lights Out program and seeks to understand how cities can provide safe passage for nocturnal migrants.

The morning of the 6th, following our presentation, we’re going to lead a walk in downtown Helena to see if we can detect any migratory mortality. The walk will take place at 7am, and participants can plan to meet at the HUB coffee shop on Last Chance Gulch. Participation will be limited to 30, so make sure to contact [email protected] to participate. 

Help us spread the message to “Dim the Lights for Birds at Night” by joining us and any of the other Helena-based activities that celebrate migratory birds, including guided birds hikes on the 1st,, an evening hike on May 2nd, bird trivia on the 4th, and a celebration at the regulating reservoir Saturday, May 7th. 

A calendar of Helena events can be found here: http://www.montanadiscoveryfoundation.org/wmbd/ 

To register for the May 5th evening presentation, visit our Eventbrite page HERE.