I beg to differ, the emphasis is on artificial lighting, be it in any form other than natural. An optical sight, telescopic sight only uses natural light unless used in conjunction with a lamp. Which would make the combination illegal.
We are splitting hairs really. No where in law have I ever read that the shooting of birds classed as a pests can not be shot at night with anything other than a shotgun.
If not then there are a lot of feral pigeon shooters in trouble!