A few simple changes can help protect the birds passing through your backyard this fall.

As summer fades into fall, something incredible is happening overhead.

Millions of birds are beginning their annual migration, traveling hundreds—or even thousands—of miles to reach their winter homes. Some fly during the day, while many songbirds travel under the cover of darkness, navigating by the stars and Earth's magnetic field.

It's one of nature's greatest journeys... but unfortunately, it's also one of the most dangerous.

Each year, millions of birds are injured or killed after colliding with windows. The good news? A few easy changes around your home and yard can make a huge difference.

Let's help our feathered visitors make it safely to their destination!

Why Do Birds Fly Into Windows?

To a bird, a clean window doesn't look like a solid wall.

Instead, it often reflects blue skies, trees, or shrubs, making it appear like open air. In other cases, birds can see straight through a house and think there's a clear path to fly through.

During migration, birds are often:

• Flying through unfamiliar territory
• Tired from long-distance travel
• Looking for food and safe places to rest

That combination makes them especially vulnerable to window strikes.

Make Your Windows Bird-Friendly

Fortunately, preventing collisions is easier than you might think.

Add Window Markers

Bird-safe decals, dot patterns, or special UV-reflective products help birds recognize that glass is a barrier.

For best results, markers should be spaced closely together rather than placing just one or two large decals on the glass.

A good rule of thumb is:

• About 2 inches apart horizontally
• About 4 inches apart vertically

It may seem like a lot, but birds can easily try to fly through surprisingly small gaps.

Move Feeders Closer to Windows

It sounds backwards, but bird feeders placed very close to windows—within about 3 feet—can actually reduce serious injuries.

If a bird takes off and accidentally hits the glass, it won't have enough speed to suffer a severe impact.

Feeders placed much farther away give birds plenty of room to build up speed before a collision.

Even better? Add a nearby bird bath for drinking and bathing to create a safe backyard stopover.

Give Birds Safe Places to Rest

Migration is exhausting.

After hours of flying, birds need a quiet place to recover, eat, and hide from predators.

Native shrubs, small trees, and dense plantings provide excellent shelter while also supporting insects and berries that many migrating birds rely on for food.

If you enjoy feeding backyard birds, fall is a wonderful time to keep feeders clean, well-stocked, and ready for hungry travelers.

Turn Off Outdoor Lights at Night

Many migratory birds travel after dark.

Bright porch lights, landscape lighting, and decorative lights can confuse migrating birds and draw them toward homes and buildings.

If possible:

• Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting during migration season.
• Use motion-activated lights instead of leaving lights on all night.
• Close blinds or curtains if bright indoor lights shine through large windows.

A darker yard is often a safer yard during migration.

Keep Cats Indoors

Even well-fed cats are natural hunters.

Migrating birds are already tired and stressed, making them easier targets.

Keeping pet cats indoors helps protect wildlife while also keeping your feline friend safer from traffic, predators, and disease.

If your cat enjoys fresh air, consider supervised outdoor time or a secure outdoor cat enclosure instead.

Create a Backyard Birds Will Love

Bird-friendly yards don't need to be complicated.

Simple additions like native plants, fresh water, safe feeding stations, and visible windows can transform your yard into an important resting stop for migrating birds.

If you enjoy watching backyard visitors, you'll likely be rewarded with colorful warblers, energetic chickadees, curious woodpeckers, and perhaps even a few unexpected travelers passing through.

Every Window Can Save a Bird

Migration is one of nature's greatest adventures, and every bird that safely continues its journey is a small conservation success.

By making just a few simple changes around your home this fall, you can help reduce window strikes, create a welcoming backyard habitat, and give migrating birds a much-needed safe place to rest before continuing their incredible journey.

After all, every great journey deserves a safe pit stop.