Ralph agreed to write a few paragraphs about bird fallout based on his decades of watching it happen. Here's his description of fallout and what to do (or not do) if you ever encounter it:

"Fallout is a term for the frequent, sometimes spectacular grounding of migrant songbirds. These fallouts are sometimes confused with incidents involving birds being confused, lured and trapped by lights. However, they are distinctly different events.

"Perhaps a word of caution is appropriate to anyone fortunate enough to witness a big fallout, especially when birds have been flying over water. Regardless of appearances, the birds are utterly exhausted and everyone should resist the temptation to get close or otherwise disturb them. They desperately need to sleep, rest and feed, not waste energy avoiding people. That 'just one close-up' could well cost the bird its life.