Save Birds by Helping Us Collect Building Collision Data

Calling all supporters of conservation & citizen science: Help collect data on bird-building collisions in Louisville, and help 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 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.

Join advocates from the Louisville Audubon Society's Lights Out Louisville program and representatives from the Louisville Metro Government's Office of Sustainability and Parks and Recreation for October dBird Days as we collect critical data on bird fatalities and injuries due to window and building collisions.

When: Every Friday in October from 6:15 a.m. – 8 a.m.—sign up for as many Fridays as you'd like!

Where:

• We'll meet at City Hall Parking Lot: 601-669 Congress Alley, Louisville, KY 40202—please arrive at 6:15, as we will depart the lot promptly at 6:30 a.m.
• The City Hall Parking Lot is located off the alley behind City Hall.
• Note: Parking is FREE, but you must leave the lot by 8 a.m. or you risk being towed.
• When you arrive, a facilitator will greet you and give you a FREE parking pass, plus instructions, materials, and your route.
• You'll then gather with your group and walk your route (~5-block radius around the downtown core).

How to prep:

• Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
• BYO headlamp or high-visibility clothing—we have limited quantities we will be providing to those without their own.
• Bring a water bottle and snacks if desired (we'll provide donuts!)

What you'll do:

• Led by a facilitator, your group will walk a ~5-block radius around downtown.
• As you walk, you'll look for dead or injured birds on the ground/sidewalk outside buildings and storefronts.
• The facilitator or a designated point person will log any sightings—plus photos and building address/GPS coordinates—into an easy-to-use form on a website called dBird.
• Optional: Anyone who is comfortable doing so can also help collect any viable specimens for the Cincinnati Museum Center's Research Facility. We'll provide gloves, masks, bags, instructions, and isopropyl alcohol.