Lighting, Windows and Dark Skies
Lighting, Windows and Dark Skies
What?
Artificial light and reflective surfaces can unintentionally harm wildlife. Many species — from bats and moths to migrating birds — rely on natural darkness to feed, navigate and rest. Bright lighting and mirrored glass can disorient or trap them, breaking up essential nocturnal routes. By adjusting how we light our buildings and streets, we can reclaim the night sky and restore balance for people and nature.
Where?
Everywhere: around buildings, car parks, signage, paths and gardens. On the Isle of Wight, even small amounts of light from villages, farms or coastal resorts can fragment the dark corridors that connect feeding and roosting areas across our Biosphere landscape.
How?
Keep it dark where possible. Switch off unnecessary lights overnight — ideally none at all.
Use low-level, warm-coloured lighting (under 3000 K) to reduce glare and blue light that disturbs insects and bats.
Angle lights downward and fit shields or hoods to prevent upward or sideways spill.
Install timers or motion sensors so lights come on only when needed.
Avoid floodlighting trees, ponds, walls or hedgerows used by wildlife for feeding or shelter.
Treat large windows and glass façades. Use visible frames, decals or patterned film to prevent bird collisions.
Add night-flowering plants such as Nicotiana, Night-scented Stock, Honeysuckle, Jasmine and Evening Primrose to attract moths — and the bats that feed on them.
Plan lighting as habitat design. Keep “dark corridors” between green spaces and along hedgerows, tree lines and rivers.
Reduce reflective surfaces or use matte finishes where possible.
When?
Lighting changes can be made at any time, but assess your site at night first to identify dark zones and wildlife routes. Avoid major outdoor lighting or façade work during the breeding and rearing season (March–August) for bats and birds.
Why?
Preserving darkness is one of the simplest, most effective ways to help wildlife and save energy. Reducing artificial light supports nocturnal food webs, lowers carbon emissions and reveals the Island’s beautiful starlit skies — a defining feature of our UNESCO Biosphere. Thoughtful lighting design also creates calmer, healthier places for people.
Actions for Isle of Wight Species
Bats, including common and soprano pipistrelles, depend on dark corridors along hedgerows and tree lines to reach feeding grounds.
Moths and nocturnal beetles are essential pollinators but are disoriented or killed by bright lights.
Migratory birds such as swifts and starlings can collide with or circle glass façades when lighted at night.
Owls hunt more effectively in low-light landscapes.
Hedgehogs and amphibians move safely through unlit gardens and verges.
Resources
“LNRS Pond conservation and creation measure CR6.1”