There is perceptible excitement in Mumbai with the Christmas season drawing nearer. Irrespective of their faith, Mumbaikars look forward to this penultimate festival, combined with New Year celebrations. While hoping there will be a nip in the air so they can flaunt their scarves and jackets, everyone is busy making year-end plans.

The urban wildlife is not oblivious of this flurry of activities. Many trees lining malls, restaurants and pubs get covered with bright blue, white, yellow and red lights. These lights take away noctural inhabitants like owls, bats, squirrels and roosting birds, besides distracting drivers on the road. The changed lighting may also affect ant colonies, spiders, honeybee combs, praying mantids, snails, geckos, tree frogs, crows, egrets, snakes, civets, mongoose and even humans living in the vicinity.