Collaborative Efforts Reduce Avian Casualties During Migration Seasons
As the fall migratory season for birds comes to a close, conservationists in Fort Worth, Texas, are celebrating a significant decline in bird collision fatalities compared to previous years. This improvement is largely due to the collective efforts of downtown building owners, local organizations, and community members working together to mitigate the impact of light pollution on these vulnerable avian travelers.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has long been marked as one of the most dangerous regions in the United States for migratory birds, ranking third in the nation for exposing these feathered voyagers to life-threatening light pollution. Each year, an estimated 3.5 billion birds nationwide fall victim to deadly collisions with buildings, primarily during their spring and fall migrations.
“Because North America is a breeding ground in the summer, there are a lot of birds that actually migrate with their parents or their flock (in the fall),” explained Mei Ling Liu, the Texas Conservation Alliance’s community conservation director. “That’s why the fall and winter months tend to see more bird mortalities than the spring.”
But this year, the Lights Out, Fort Worth team has documented a significant decline in bird collision fatalities during the 2024 fall migration period, which runs from August 15 to November 30. As of October 31st, the team recorded just 42 bird mortalities, including 7 stunned birds. This number is down from the 110 mortalities documented in the fall of 2023, and only slightly higher than the 33 mortalities recorded during the spring migration.
Turning Off Lights Saves Lives
The reduction in bird collision deaths can be attributed, in large part, to the growing commitment of downtown Fort Worth building owners to participate in the national Lights Out program. This initiative, led by the Texas Conservation Alliance, encourages businesses and residents to turn off non-essential lighting between 11 pm and 6 am during peak migration seasons.
“The reduction in mortalities is, in part, thanks to downtown Fort Worth building owners turning off lights overnight,” said Mia Schlicke, the Lights Out, Fort Worth coordinator. “Surveys of bird deaths in Fort Worth kicked off in the spring of 2023, but Downtown Fort Worth Inc. members began participating in the Lights Out program as far back as 2021.”
The Lights Out, Fort Worth team has been actively engaging with city officials, nonprofit organizations, and the broader community to spread awareness and promote the adoption of light-reducing practices. Through workshops and educational outreach, they have been able to highlight the successes of the program, which they hope will encourage other major cities to follow suit.
“We want to bring those successful cases to the DFW area and see if we can have the similar concept to bring into the city,” said Ling Liu. “Highlighting successes could play a major role in encouraging major cities to partake in the Lights Out program.”
One such success story is the transformation of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Once considered a “bird killer” due to its massive size and bright lights, the convention center underwent renovations in 2014 that included the installation of a “green roof.” This change not only reduced the building’s energy consumption but also turned it into a home and breeding ground for various bird species.
Expanding the Reach of the Lights Out Initiative
While the Lights Out, Fort Worth team has seen promising results in the downtown area, they are now turning their attention to the broader Fort Worth region, including suburban neighborhoods and college campuses. Their previous studies have shown that 44% of deadly bird collisions in Fort Worth occur in suburban areas, and mid-size buildings, such as homes, are the second biggest source of fatal bird strikes.
“I think there’s a lot of work to do in the surrounding areas,” said Schlicke. “Our campaign is moving toward not just advocacy or talking to city officials. We are actually going to work with the community.”
To support this expansion, the Lights Out, Fort Worth coordinators plan to reach out directly to residents and engage them in the program. They have already begun using the dBird website, which allows community members to report incidents of dead and injured birds, helping to gather more accurate data on the scope of the problem.
“We’re only one team. We can’t collect all the data on the building collisions. We know there is more happening,” said Schlicke. “So spreading the word that anyone can report a bird collision and help us collect this data is what we’re trying to do with this deeper initiative.”
In addition to the residential outreach, the Lights Out, Fort Worth team is also working to bring educational programs to local public schools. They are in the process of launching a curriculum created by the Texas Conservation Alliance, which aims to teach children the importance of birds and the critical ecological functions they serve in ecosystems.
A Brighter Future for Migratory Birds
The success of the Lights Out, Fort Worth program serves as a model for other cities and communities looking to protect migratory birds from the devastating effects of light pollution. By collaborating with local businesses, governments, and residents, the team has demonstrated that significant progress can be made in reducing avian casualties during migration seasons.
As the Lights Out initiative continues to expand its reach, the future looks brighter for the millions of birds that traverse the skies of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex each year. By turning off non-essential lights and raising awareness, the community is playing a vital role in ensuring these feathered travelers can safely complete their journeys.
To learn more about the Lights Out, Fort Worth program and how you can get involved, visit https://www.tcatexas.org/lights-out-dfw. You can also explore the Local Builder London blog for more expert tips and insights on sustainable home renovation and design practices at https://localbuilderlondon.co.uk/.
