VH – Lights Out Dallas Bird Survey – Fall 2023 

VH – Lights Out Dallas Bird Survey – Fall 2023 

Calling All BPTMN Early Risers!   

The Lights Out Dallas Fall Bird Survey is an on-the-ground bird window collision survey conducted in downtown Dallas from 6-8 AM.  Birds are now in the process of migrating through our area during the overnight hours. Not all of them make it through successfully, especially when navigating in downtown Dallas.  Completing this survey work can be sad, but the data gathered is extremely important and gives lost birds a chance to help future populations.  In addition, you may have the opportunity to rescue stunned or injured birds—77 percent of birds taken to rehab in spring 2023 were successfully treated and released back into the wild! 

Click HERE for additional information about these efforts, findings since the program began in 2020, and First Quarter Updates from 2023. 

Event:  Lights Out Dallas Downtown Survey – Fall 2023 

Project Description:  Participants meet in the Perot Museum parking lot around 5:45-5:50 AM and start out on searches at 6AM.  Upon return to the parking lot at 8AM there is usually time for ID of birds and entry of tagged birds into iNaturalist.  When needed, volunteers assist by dropping birds at Rogers Wildlife Rehab in Hutchings, TX as well.   

Dates:  Now through December 1, 2023 

Downtown Dallas Surveying: What to Expect 

• BEGIN: Promptly at 6 AM.  
• PARKING: Enter the Perot Special Event/Permit Parking Lot by way of Field & River Streets. Push the intercom button at the gate and let security know you are there for Lights Out. They will admit you.  
• WALK: We’ll walk between 3-7 miles at a leisurely pace – comfortable shoes are recommended.  
• CLOTHING: Light-colored clothing is a good idea for high visibility. You will be crossing many streets on foot.  
• RESTROOMS: Sporadically available along the survey route 
• GEAR: A flashlight or headlamp helps you see birds in the pre-dawn light. A camera phone, with the iNaturalist app https://www.inaturalist.org/ downloaded, helps you document your findings but is not required.  
• END: We return to the Perot parking lot at 8 AM.   

How to Participate:  Submit this Interest Form 

Contact: Contact: Jimena@tcatexas.org (Lights Out Dallas Coordinator) 

Logging VH:  Hours may be logged under BPTMN: Bird/Wildlife/Insect/Plant or other Survey: TMN Field Research with “Lights Out Texas Dallas Bird Count” in the service description box.  NOTE: Your drive time also counts as VH!