ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - You may have noticed the lights that illuminate the Gateway Arch have been dark, and it has nothing to do with bird migration, at least not yet.
For years now the St. Louis landmark has gone dark in early May, then again in late September, to protect migrating birds. The bright lights can sometimes distract the birds while in flight and cause them to hit the 630-foot monument.
But the 30 lights that illuminate the Arch have been off in recent weeks, not for the birds, but because the new light technology has been causing some "misfiring." And it may be at least another month before they're fixed.
Deputy Superintendent of the Gateway Arch National Park Frank Mares tells KMOX says no matter if the lights are fixed soon or not, they'll stay off until after May 15 to protect migrating birds.
Bird Watchers Digest reports throughout March, April and May St. Louis will can see migrating birds going to both the north and south, such as bald eagles, tree sparrows, turkey vultures and egrets.
The new Arch lights were installed last summer Mares says, as part of the $380 million renovations to Gateway Arch Park.
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