Lights Out, Fort Worth!
April 2025 Update
| | |
Spring migration is in full swing, and this season, our focus is all about outreach, education, and expanding our impact. Thanks to the dedication of advocates like you, we’re reaching more communities than ever with the Lights Out! message. From classrooms to nature centers, garden clubs to public festivals, we’re spreading awareness and inspiring action across the state.
Through powerful partnerships, new educational tools have been developed, and the Lights Out, Texas! curriculum is nearing completion—set to launch this summer. It’s exciting to see so many individuals and communities stepping up to protect the birds we all cherish.
Join us in celebrating the return of our feathered friends by helping ensure they migrate safely—one conversation, one classroom, and one city at a time.
| | Bird of the Month: Lincoln’s Sparrow | | This month, we’re featuring the Lincoln’s Sparrow—the third most commonly reported species in our Fort Worth bird collision surveys from Spring 2023 to Fall 2024. Named by John James Audubon after his travel companion Thomas Lincoln, this modest yet beautiful sparrow was first documented during an 1833 expedition in Quebec. Lincoln’s Sparrows are winter visitors in Texas, with their range extending across the southern U.S. into Mexico. They build well-hidden nests and lay clutches of 3–5 pale, speckled eggs. Keep an eye out for these shy, melodic birds in brushy habitats—they're often overlooked but an essential part of our urban bird community. | | Photo: Seth Kapp/Audubon Photography Awards | | Take Action! – Make Your Windows Bird-Friendly | | |
One simple but powerful way to help protect migrating birds is by making your windows safer. Birds often can’t recognize glass as a solid surface—they see reflections of sky or trees and try to fly right through. As a result, window collisions are one of the leading causes of bird deaths in urban areas.
You can help by applying bird-friendly window decals that break up reflections and make the glass visible to birds. We recommend products like Feather Friendly window markers, which are easy to install and highly effective. Whether you live in a house, apartment, or work in a commercial building, every treated window counts. We can reduce collisions and make our communities safer for our feathered friends!
| | |
Before and After: Making Windows Bird-Friendly
Adding simple decals like these helps birds recognize glass as a barrier, preventing deadly collisions. A small change can make a big impact!
| | Bird Friendly Window Before After, Allison Stewart/USFWS, Public Domain, https://www.fws.gov/media/bird-friendly-window-after | | Community Engagement Spotlight | | It’s been a busy and inspiring season for Lights Out, Fort Worth! We’ve had the pleasure of connecting with various communities—from young learners to seasoned naturalists—at events across the region. In Granbury, we joined homeschool families and nature lovers for Homeschool Day and Feather Fest at the Acton Nature Center. We celebrated Earth Day early at the River Legacy Nature Center Festival and shared our message with the Colleyville Garden Club as their monthly guest speaker. | | Teaching young nature lovers about the Lights Out! initiative and how they can help protect migrating birds! | | Thanks to Acton Nature Center for partnering with us to spread the word about bird conservation and the Lights Out! initiative! | |
We’re excited to continue spreading awareness at upcoming events like Earth Day at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Nature Con at the Fort Worth Nature Center, and Earth Day in the Prairie in Grand Prairie. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to speak with kids, gardeners, and naturalists alike about the importance of protecting migratory birds. Here's to more meaningful conversations and impactful outreach throughout the rest of the season! | | Come See Us At Future Events! | For full event details, please visit the host organization's website. | | |
Education & Community Outreach
Bringing the Lights Out, DFW! campaign to you!
| Beyond participating in bird-window collision surveys, there are so many ways to support migratory birds. As we look to expand our outreach, we’re open to conversations and collaborations of all kinds. Educators, community leaders, and organizers—reach out if you're interested in learning more about Lights Out, DFW! or if you have ideas for spreading the message and helping save birds right at home. | | From surveys to everyday changes at home, we’re sharing all the ways folks can support migratory birds in North Texas and beyond! | |
Surveys
March 13 – May 31, 2025
| | |
Spring surveys are in full swing and will continue through May 31! So far this season, only three birds have been found—a hopeful sign that our outreach and mitigation efforts may be making a difference.
Surveys are conducted four days a week during Peak Migration (April 23 – May 10) and three days a week on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays outside of that window.
Need a reminder of the dates? Be sure to check the survey calendar—green-highlighted days indicate survey dates. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the days they plan to participate. Thank you for helping us monitor bird collisions and protect migratory species across our region!
| | |
When:
March 13 - April 19
Thu, Fri, Sat mornings
April 23 - May 10 (Peak Migration)
Wed- Sat mornings
May 15 - May 31
Thu, Fri, Sat mornings
ALL surveys begin at 6 am and end around 8 am!
| |  | |
Where:
Surveys will start and end at the Tarrant County College - Trinity River Campus East Parking lot (see Parking Map). Upon arrival to the parking lot, Lights Out, Fort Worth Coordinators and/or Survey Leaders will give you a temporary parking permit. This parking permit is required!
| | Beyond participating in bird—window collision surveys, everyone can play a role in supporting migratory birds. Join us and learn how you can make a difference! | | | | |
