Date: 10/28/25 9:16 am From: Gyekis, Joseph Peter <jpg186...> Subject: Fw: Help Reduce Bird Mortality at Tall Communications Towers: Sign On Letter and Public Outreach Campaign
Hi Everyone,
Do you know of communication towers that have constantly on lights instead of blinking lights? If so, we should encourage a switch to a blinking configuration to reduce bird mortality.
Also I'm hoping the bird club might consider signing on as a supporter of this initiative.
Joe
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From: Steve Holmer via bca list <bca...>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2025 4:14 PM
To: <bca...> <bca...>
Subject: [bca] Help Reduce Bird Mortality at Tall Communications Towers: Sign On Letter and Public Outreach Campaign
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Help Reduce Bird Mortality at Tall Communications Towers: Sign On Letter and Public Outreach Campaign
Each year it is estimated that as many as 7 million birds die from colliding with communications towers. Steady burning tower lights have been found to attract migrating flocks of birds causing them to circle the tower, usually to the point of exhaustion or until they collide with the tower, support wires, or another bird, killing thousands at a time.
Fortunately, there is a solution: turning off the steady burning lights on towers taller than 350 ft, and switching lights to a flashing configuration on towers 150ft-350ft.
And progress is being made. Since 2016, more than 4,500 of about 13,900 tall towers in U.S. have made this change, saving birds, and reducing tower electricity and maintenance costs. Gratitude is owed to the many companies who have taken these extra steps to protect our birds while saving on operating costs.
There are a number of ways both organizational and individual activists can save migratory birds by encouraging tower operators to complete this transition.
1. For any individual or group interested, we can make available the database of tower operators and license holders that need to be contacted. Many listings lack current emails, so mailings or meeting requests for the towers in your city, county, or state may be an option to consider. To request the data please send an email to <sholmer...><mailto:<sholmer...>.
Thank you for considering these requests to protect migratory birds.
Here is a copy of the letter to tower operators.
To: Tower Operators
Dear Friends:
The undersigned organizations are writing today to ask your help to turn off the steady burning tower lights that can attract migrating birds. This change will reduce migratory bird collisions at tall communications towers by as much as 70%.
We greatly appreciate the progress to date with more than 500 tall communications towers turning off their lights in 2024, and 4,500 overall!
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Many communications tower operators have already updated the lighting systems on tall towers over 350 feet by turning off their steady-burning (L-810) red lights that attract birds. Since 2016, more than 4,500 of about 13,900 tall towers in U.S. have made this change, reducing tower electricity and maintenance costs.
Please join the tower operators who have already updated their lights and saved migrating birds. Thank you for considering this request.
