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Lighting |
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Ecological
light pollution effects wildlife at the individual,
community, and ecosystem level. There are many
effects of ecological light pollution and they
are widespread: e.g. disorientation and unnatural
attraction to artificial light. Also effecting
the light-cycles of many species. Many species
of wildlife operate by specific rythms - these
rythms let them know when they should begin
foraging, when they should migrate and when
they should reproduce. Artificial light at night
disrupts these cycles, and therefore also the
behaviour. |
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OUR
LIGHTING PROJECTS : |
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| FERRY
LANE 'GARAGE FLOODLIGHT', N17 |
28th
May 2007 |
SUCCESS
LEVEL:  |
A
local business at Ferry Lane, N17 used an all
night security halogen lamp. Although intended
to be directional - a downward beam to their
doorway, the lamp shone across the path, out
of their premises, across the Ferry Lane bridge
and out onto the Lee Navigation. The dazzling
light reflected on the water and created double
intensity. When we spoke to the Manager about
it he willingly agreed to change the lamps's
direction. However, although the angle was slightly
changed, it still projected the same quantity
of light onto the water. We returned and pointed
out that the brightness was still the same.
The very next evening, we noticed that the lamp
was gone. We certainly never asked for it to
be removed, but we're very pleased that it was. |
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BEFORE:
Reflected
glare of halogen lamp |
AFTER:
taken from a slightly different angle |
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“Light
avoidance by bats has been interpreted
as a predator-evading strategy.
This is only partly true and
failure to appreciate the wider
impact of light polluton on
bat behaviour may affect the
conservation of a protected
species.” |
Alison
Fure |
Furesfen
Ecological Consultancy |
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| LEE
NAVIGATION TOWPATH LAMPS (south of Ferry Lane),
N17 |
| 5th
July 2007 |
| SUCCESS
LEVEL:
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| Unfortunately,
High Pressure Sodium (orange light), 70watts
luminaires have been recently changed to Ceramic
Metal Halide, CDM (white light), along a stretch
of the Lee Navigation (south of Ferry Lane Bridge,
N17) to the rear of Reedham Close. (Grid ref:
TQ 895 347). CMH is much brighter, making life
uncomfortable for bats. The old lamps are more
contrasty and more bat friendly. Following
the installation, monitoring showed a reduction
in visiting Noctules to the area. Jeanette (LVB)
contacted the Haringey Council and discussed
ways of regulating the light from the new luminaires
- the least worse solution found, was the installation
of light shields: to be fitted front and back.
The Council ordered the shields and they were
installed Monday 6th Aug. We tried to have the
originals replaced, but apparently the whole
borough is going 'Ceramic Metal Halide'. We're
grateful to Steven Lain, Team Leader of Haringey
Council's Street Lighting Department, for working
with us on this project and suggesting the option
of lumnaire shields. It's impossible to predict
how successful this adaptation will be - only
time will tell. |
Read
on for June 2008 update |
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BEFORE:
Without
shields |
AFTER:
With front and rear shields
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click
photo for enlargement |
click
photo for enlargement |
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| 1st
June 2008 - UPDATE |
| Ceramic
Metal Halide lamps and light shields |
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It
was hoped that by adding shields to
the Halide lamps very little disturbance
would be felt by bats. Almost one year
since the installation, we can see the
effect the halide lamps have had. Of
course, the shields have helped reduce
the glare and spill, but unfortunately
not enough.
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Bat
Conservation Trust's Bat News article - Spring
2008 |
Thank
you BCT ! |
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| BREAM
CLOSE, Ferry Lane, N17 |
| 16th
August 2007 |
ONGOING
PROJECT |
| SUCCESS
LEVEL SO FAR:
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While
working on the above luminaire project in
July 2007, we were shocked at the intensity
of light coming from Heron Wharf, a nearby
housing estate off Ferry Lane N17. As you
will see, the light intensity creates a double
impact as it reflects on the water surface
of the river Lee Navigation. This lighting
is environmentally unfriendly,
and adds to the worrisome glow of the London
night sky. A few bats have been seen in the
area, but nothing compared to the high foraging
numbers of Noctules (Nyctalus noctula)
just 500 yards away. Plecotus and Myotis
species, (incl the Brown Long-eared and Daubenton's
bats) particularly avoid light and extreme
lighting conditions such as this are responsible
for a decline in bat sightings up and down
the country. We have sent a letter to the
Bream Close Board of Directors.
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Click
photo for enlargement |
| UPDATE
- February 2008 |
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| UPDATE
- March 2009 |
Although
we are still waiting for the main area to be
fixed, another section of the estate has recently
been made bat-friendly, following our talks
with with Haringey's Steven Lain, Head of Street
Lighting. Mr. Lain contacted the Managing Agents
and they came on site to change the lamp angles.
Originally, each lamp had a tilt of 45 degrees
- now, they are parallel to the ground, (facing
straight down), with minimum light spill. This
photo shows just one lamp, but there were a
row of five lamps alongside the Lee Navigation.
Click on photo for enlargement. |
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Many
thanks to Steven Lain, Ringeys (the Managing
Agents) and the residents of Bream Close. |
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| LEE
VALLEY ESTATES OFFICE (Hale Wharf), N17 |
28th
February 2008 |
ONGOING
PROJECT |
SUCCESS
LEVEL SO FAR:
0 |
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Brightly
lit building, reflecting onto adjacent River
Lee Navigation. |
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Bats
do forage at Hale Wharf, but not at the Ferry
Lane End (this building's location). The bats
we've detected on the wharf, keep to the unlit
areas, (the far opposite end of the wharf). |
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Wasted
light, means wasted energy and light polution.
A
single 500 watt lamp left on all night creates
1.25 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide annually at the
power station, as it burns fossil fuels to keep
it alight. |
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Click
photo for enlargement |
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As
a voluntary organisation we |
exist
entirely on donations |
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