OHIO — Tonight May 15 will feature a massive bird migration event across Ohio, with over 11 million birds forecast to fly through the state during the peak migration window of 11 PM through 6 AM, as part of a broader national migration event forecasting over 350 million birds moving across the United States overnight.
Posted at 8:40 AM on May 15, forecasters are urging all Ohio residents to turn off or dim unnecessary lighting during the peak migration hours to help protect the millions of birds passing through the state tonight.
Over 11 Million Birds Moving Through Ohio Tonight With Numbers Increasing as Temps Warm
The bird migration forecast for Ohio tonight is being described as a huge migration night, with over 11 million birds expected to fly through the state as warming temperatures fuel increasing migration numbers heading into the weekend.
Forecasters note that migration numbers are increasing again as temperatures warm across the region, suggesting that tonight’s massive event could be followed by continued large migrations over the coming weekend days as the warmer pattern takes hold.
The scale of tonight’s migration across Ohio places it among the most significant bird movement events of the spring season for the state, with millions of birds traveling northward through the region during the overnight hours.
Columbus Seeing 65,600 Birds Cincinnati 23,800 and Cleveland 18,300 Tonight
Breaking down the migration numbers by city, Columbus leads the way with 65,600 birds forecast to migrate through the area tonight, making it the most active location in Ohio for tonight’s migration event.
Cincinnati follows with 23,800 birds forecast to pass through the metro area, while Cleveland rounds out the three major Ohio cities with 18,300 birds expected to migrate through the region during the overnight hours.
The city-level forecasts give residents across Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland a concrete picture of just how significant tonight’s migration event is for their specific communities and why turning off lights during the 11 PM to 6 AM window matters so much tonight.
Residents Urged to Turn Off Lights From 11 PM to 6 AM During Peak Migration
Forecasters and wildlife experts are issuing a clear call to action for all Ohio residents tonight — turn off or dim any non-essential lighting between 11 PM and 6 AM during the peak migration window to help protect the millions of birds flying through the state.
Unnecessary outdoor lighting including bright floodlights and decorative lighting can confuse and disorient migrating birds during flight, increasing the risk of collisions and disorientation for birds traveling through urban and suburban areas overnight.
With over 350 million birds forecast to migrate nationally tonight alongside Ohio’s 11 million local count, the collective impact of residents across the state turning off their lights during peak hours could make a meaningful difference for one of the biggest migration nights of the 2026 spring season. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest updates.
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