Light pollution 'helps wildlife'....

[laser_jock99]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/offbeat/light-pollution-helps-wildlife-16243440.html

....apparently it enables the birds to see while they are feeding at night!

[VigdisVZ]

...and it confuses the heck out of other species. It's a mixed bag i guess.

[leelee970]

Great news - I'm off to buy a dozen security lights - after all birds have only evolved over millennia and need every bit of help.

[robin_astro]

And what about the things being eaten?

earthworms, cranefly larvae, crustaceans, molluscs, marine worms

I suspect they would not agree with the headline!

Robin

[SteveNickolls]

Yeah, heard that too on the tv. It will also help predator species pick off feeding and migrating birds too.

Cheers,

Steve

[foundaplanet]

How did they ever manage without us....

[Naemeth]

They evolved way before artificial lighting, I'm sure they'll be fine without any more light pollution.

[Spec-Chum]

Well, thank goodness for that. It must have been a right struggle for the millions of years they've been around before Edison.

Happy to help little birdies

[whooshbang]

wow, they are really digging deep to justify the light pollution now!

Next they'll be telling us LP prevents aging.

[Naemeth]

wow, they are really digging deep to justify the light pollution now!

Next they'll be telling us LP prevents aging.

If anything, it probably promotes sleep problems.

[Mr Q]

Great news - I'm off to buy a dozen security lights - after all birds have only evolved over millennia and need every bit of help.

I hope there are no stargazers in your neighborhood. If so, expect them to rush your house with burning torches, pellet guns and slingshots

[Naemeth]

I hope there are no stargazers in your neighborhood. If so, expect them to rush your house with burning torches, pellet guns and slingshots

But wouldn't the burning torches just add to the orange glow?

[laser_jock99]

I remember reading somewhere that many species of night flying insects (e.g. moths) are in steep decline due to artificial light. I think the glow worm has taken a bit of hammering too. Can't remember the last time I saw one?

[breezy]

Hear it all now , some animals do their thing during the day and some at night , LP is surely altering the balance and therefore not natural .

Since the hydrogen fuelled searchlight outside my house now goes out at midnight it's bliss

[E621Keith]

By that logic central London should be pack full of migrating birds, but it isn't.

Mean while, various moths species continue to crash and kill themselves against street lights.

[breezy]

The birds have more sense than to flock to central London

[J_M_Franklin]

That researcher should work for the cosmetic industry... 20 of 20 million Birds agreed that the Light Pollution helped them feed longer...therefore its a good thing..

I wonder who funded his research..the Lighting Manufacturers Association or the Utility companies..if it was public money I want a ruddy refund..