## Calling all Louisville conservation advocates, citizen scientists, and birders: Help us collect data on bird-building collisions to save migrating birds! ##
**Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate each night—but many don't survive the journey.**
The deadly effects of artificial light at night cause birds to collide with buildings and windows—**including right here in Louisville.** The result? **_Billions_ of bird fatalities and injuries each year in the U.S. alone.**
But with your help, we can change that.
This spring, join advocates from the **Louisville Audubon Society's [Lights Out Louisville](https://www.LightsOutLouisville.org) program** and **Louisville Metro Government** as we conduct bird-collision monitoring surveys downtown.
- Our goal: collect localized data on bird fatalities and injuries due to window and building collisions.
- This critical data will help guide research and advocacy efforts that aim to reduce human-made hazards to birds.
### **Who can attend:** ###
- Open to everyone!
- Please note each survey route covers a radius of about 1 mile total, but the routes are accessible for those using mobility devices, and the pace will be comfortable, with frequent pauses.
### **When:** ###
- **April 17 through May 22;** multiple dates and time slots available.
- See the complete list of dates and time slots to the left. **_Sign up for as many days as you'd like!_**
- **For safety reasons, you must sign up for each event you wish to attend.**
### **Where:** ###
- We'll meet at City Hall Parking Lot: [601-699 Congress Alley, Louisville, KY 40202](https://www.google.com/maps/place/601-699+Congress+Alley,+Louisville,+KY+40202/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x886972a41ac80d7f:0x845fa7ed9af3eeee?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (off the alley behind City Hall)
- Please arrive promptly, or a few minutes early, for any day you sign up for. We'll leave the lot shortly after each event's start time.
- You may park in this lot **on Fridays only** (we'll give you a parking pass good until 8 a.m.).
### **What you'll do** ###
- After you arrive, your facilitators will introduce themselves and provide a quick overview of what you can expect and instructions on what to do.
- Facilitators will split volunteers into groups and lead each group on the day's survey route.
- As you walk with your group, you'll look for dead or injured birds on the ground/sidewalk and alongside buildings and storefronts.
- Facilitators will photograph each bird, safely and hygienically collect deceased birds in pre-labeled ziplock bags, and write down the time, date, and location of the collection.
- _Optional: Volunteers comfortable doing so can also help collect deceased birds. We'll provide gloves, pre-labeled bags, pens/Sharpies, and hand sanitizer._
### **How to prepare:** ###
- Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- It will be dark for some or most of the early-morning time slots. We'll have some flashlights and headlamps, but limited quantities, so BYO if you'd like. (Red-light flashlights/headlamps recommended.)
- Bring a water bottle and snacks if desired.
### **What happens afterward:** ###
- The birds we collect will go to ornithological researchers at the Cincinnati Museum Center's Research Facility.
- Facilitators will log all sightings—plus photos and address/GPS coordinates—into an easy-to-use form on a website called [dBird](https://dbird.org/).
- _dBird offers a way to report dead or injured birds in less than two minutes—you can use it yourself to report your own sightings at any time._
### **BONUS:** ###
- Once the spring 2026 survey season concludes, all volunteers will be invited to a special celebration as a thank-you for your participation.
- You'll get to meet other advocates for nature, exchange birding hotspots and tips, and enjoy some snacks and beverages with your fellow volunteers.
Photo: Cimara Dunn.
