Iconic Gateway Arch goes dark to help millions of migrating birds navigate the night
Light reflecting off clouds and fog can disorient migrating birds and cause accidents.
Gateway Arch turns off lights for bird migration
SEE IT: Iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis will turn off exterior lights in an effort to help birds safely migrate through the region. The lights will return on Oct. 1.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Gateway Arch is turning off all exterior lights to help the birds migrate safely.
- Exterior lights will return on Oct. 1.
- Nighttime lighting can be harmful to migrating birds.
ST. LOUIS, Miss. – An unusual sight unfolded in St. Louis this week as officials lent a helping hand to birds migrating for the fall by turning off the lights of the iconic Gateway Arch to avoid any complications during travel.
As thousands of birds fly to various locations as the unofficial end of summer is here, many of these animals encounter issues while flying at night.
Because of the ongoing threat to these animals, the Gateway Arch is doing its part by turning off all exterior lights to help the birds safely migrate to their new homes for the season.
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According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), nighttime lighting is harmful because it can attract large numbers of night-migrating birds as far as three miles away.
KIRKLARELI, TURKIYE - AUGUST 29: A flock of storks is seen flying over Kirklareli, Türkiye, as they begin their migration journey ahead of autumn on August 29, 2026.
(Ozgun Tiran/Anadolu / Getty Images)
Birds usually migrate overnight from dusk to dawn.
"Once drawn in, birds often circle the illuminated area, wasting critical energy needed for migration and increasing their risk of collisions with buildings and other structures," the USFWS said.
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ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 21: The St. Louis Gateway Arch rises above St. Louis on July 21, 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Arch is 630 feet tall; 630 feet is also the distance from leg to leg at ground level. The Arch also known as the "Gateway to the West" was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. It stands 630 feet tall, and is 630 feet at its widest point. Saarinen also designed Dulles Airport outside of Washington, DC.
(David S. Holloway / Getty Images)
This is extremely dangerous for birds during low-cloud conditions or foggy weather, when they migrate at lower altitudes, and light reflecting off the clouds and fog can disorient them and cause accidents.
Mortality events involving hundreds of birds have been documented on such nights with these conditions, which is something officials look to avoid amidst this implementation of less light during the evening.
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On Oct. 1, the Gateway Arch will return to its old form and shine brightly from all angles for people to enjoy the view.