What’s everyone’s opinion on having a light in the loft for late returns?
I’ve heard it helps birds find their way home at dusk but also heard it can mess with their natural rhythms.
Do you use loft lighting? What kind?
I have a low-wattage light that comes on automatically at dusk. Just enough to illuminate the trap.
Has definitely helped with late returns. Birds that would have spent the night on the roof now come in.
I use a 15W LED with a timer. Comes on at sunset, off at 9pm.
Use lighting carefully.
Winter lighting (to extend day length) will prevent proper moulting and can mess with breeding cycles. Not recommended unless you know what you’re doing.
A trap light for late returns is different - that’s fine. Just don’t light the interior all night.
Red or orange light is better than white/blue spectrum if you want to minimize biological effects.
Motion-activated light near the trap works well.
Only comes on when a bird lands on the board. Guides them in without staying on all evening.
Small solar-powered motion lights work great and cost nothing to run.