Montreal bridge to be lit blue and green in bid to protect migrating birds
Montreal's Champlain Bridge will be lit up using only blue and green lights to help birds during migration this spring.
Light pollution is a growing problem for birds that are attracted to it and become disoriented.
"The songbirds migrate at night, people don't know that," says bird behaviourist Joel Coutu.
"Larger birds, geese, eagles and hawks migrate during the day, but for songbirds, it's an advantage to migrate at night because you have no hawks around or predators."
White and red lights are the main issue, as those colours attract birds and prevent them from continuing on their journey.
"There was a lot of consultation between various environmental protection agencies, both at the provincial and federal level," says Alexandre Harvey, a member of the group that administers the New Champlain Bridge.
"Bird migration was a big one that was considered, and the phenomenon of light pollution is something that's been more widely recognized in the past years," he says.
Montreal is on a major migratory pathway, and lights attract birds away from their migration routes.
The bridge's size and proximity to several migratory bird sanctuaries made it particularly important to address light pollution, says Harvey.
Coutu hopes others will flock to this idea.
"I think there are more commercial buildings that use so much bright white light that have a much more negative effect," he says.
"I think what they've done in Chicago and Toronto...some people have gone to the owners to ask them to turn off their lights during migration season. They do that in New York City as well."
The blue-green lights reduce the risk of disorienting birds during their migratory period, which runs until June 15.
"They always deserve our respect, and if we can help them, that will help them survive, and we all need our birds," says Coutu.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.