Event Details
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 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 (off the alley behind City Hall)
- Note: do not park in this lot except for the Friday event dates (we have passes for Fridays)
- 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.
- Depending on the day/time, we'll either give you a free-parking pass, or request your receipt from a meter or nearby garage and reimburse you (parking only reimbursed for the event time slot, + 15 minutes before/after)
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.
- 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.