As gardeners, we spend a lot of time observing nature up close 香蕉视频直播� When will my tomatoes turn red? What香蕉视频直播檚 eating my hosta? What香蕉视频直播檚 that white stuff on my peonies? 香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淏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,香蕉视频直播� Sanchez said. 香蕉视频直播淥r they香蕉视频直播檙e led to circle in confusion, call out (in distress) and then land, drained of energy.香蕉视频直播�

The number of window strikes soars during the seasonal spring and fall periods, when birds migrate to and from their breeding homes. Sanchez said. That香蕉视频直播檚 because they rely on 香蕉视频直播渃elestial cues香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播� light from the moon and stars 香蕉视频直播� to navigate the night sky. And night-migrating small songbirds, like sparrows, warblers and thrushes, are at the highest risk of collisions.

Light pollution isn香蕉视频直播檛 unique to downtowns with lighted skylines

香蕉视频直播淪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,香蕉视频直播� Sanchez said.

Almost all the bird strikes occur at 香蕉视频直播渉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.香蕉视频直播�

First, turn off unnecessary lights

The National Audubon Society香蕉视频直播檚 Lights Out Program encourages residents, businesses, building owners and managers 香蕉视频直播渢o turn off excess lighting during the months migrating birds are flying overhead香蕉视频直播� to provide them safe passage between their nesting and wintering grounds.香蕉视频直播�

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 香蕉视频直播� visit the to find migration periods windows in your county.

香蕉视频直播淲e can make the skies safer for birds by reducing the amount and intensity of exterior lighting and using only what香蕉视频直播檚 necessary,香蕉视频直播� 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 that香蕉视频直播檚 visible through windows also poses a threat. Close blinds or shades at night and turn off lights when they香蕉视频直播檙e not needed, Sanchez advised.

Put visual markers on windows

Birds don香蕉视频直播檛 perceive glass as a barrier but instead see the reflection of their habitat or the sky.

香蕉视频直播淲e need to help them see there香蕉视频直播檚 a barrier (by providing) ,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淭he key is to ensure the patterns or artwork are densely spaced so a small bird, like a hummingbird, won香蕉视频直播檛 try to fly through,香蕉视频直播� Sanchez said.

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

香蕉视频直播淭his is a bigger problem than we realized,香蕉视频直播� Sanchez said. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 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.香蕉视频直播�