Tribute in Light, Birds in Flight

Common Yellowthroat Photo: Keith Olstad

Every year on September 11, an art installation of 88 vertical search beams shines up into the New York sky, commemorating the Twin Towers and those lost in the terrorist attacks 19 years ago. September 11 falls right in the midst of fall migration, when thousands of birds fly from their breeding grounds to Central and South America- and light pollution is a major threat to those making their winged passage south, causing birds to become disoriented, collide with structures or die of exhaustion after repeated circling.

The tiny white dots in the Tribute of Light are birds drawn up into the beams Photo: NYC Audubon

A successful collaboration between NYC Audubon and National September 11 has saved countless birds for 17 consecutive years, preventing yet more senseless tragedy at Ground Zero. Each year, a core of volunteers spend the night at the Tribute in Light, watching for birds circling in the beams. When about 100 birds are observed trapped in the beams, NYC Audubon asks the Tribute producers to temporarily extinguish the beams so the birds may continue on their migration before they expend precious energy needed for the long flight to their wintering grounds.

Volunteers watch for birds in the Tribute of Light Photo: NYC Audubon

This partnership and advocacy work highlights Audubon’s role in bird conservation and engaging the community in the project of bird safety. Today, we hope you remember all those lost on September 11 and draw inspiration from the NYC Audubon volunteers who spend the day in service keeping birds safe in the New York sky.

Marian Weidner, Audubon Chapter Minneapolis