To aid migratory birds, it's lights out in Lanshan

CHANGSHA — At 8:30 pm, the high-beam lamps standing in a square went out on time. With the hustle and bustle of pedestrians fading gradually, the birds perched near the square began flying by.

Even during the eight-day holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day — occasions traditionally for festive illuminations — officials in Lanshan county, Hunan province, extinguished the lamps every day to encourage migratory birds to fly by.

"Haunted by lights, the birds migrating at night are prone to get lost because of phototaxis (movement toward light). The 'lights out' program has helped promote the birds' migrations," said Zeng Chengbin, an official in charge of road maps from the county's urban management and comprehensive law enforcement bureau, adding that neon lights are also turned off.