No bird or bat rescues today on bird monitoring walk with @samuel.ha for @lightsoutbaltimore but did find this amazing cecropia moth under a car and move him to a safer location. 🦋 . . . #mothsofinstagram #moth #mothstagram #cecropiamoth #hyalophoracecropia #insectogram #insectsofnorthamerica #mothsofnorthamerica #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforwildlife #mothstagram #mothgram #largemoth #silkmoths #silkmothsofinstagram #saturniidae #naturegram #nature #insectsoftheworld
On this year’s #LightsOutForWildlife pin, we’re featuring the Ovenbird! This large, spotted warbler is one of the most common bird-building collision casualties, often termed a “super-collider” species. Though the Ovenbird only passes through Texas to nest further North, it has ranked a top-three species in collisions every spring in particular. In the fall, most Ovenbirds migrate over Florida and the Caribbean Islands instead. So far this spring, TCA’s Lights Out programs have recorded over 70 Ovenbird casualties with 53 from just downtown Dallas. A nationwide study (Loss et al. 2014) found Ovenbirds to be one of the most disproportionately vulnerable birds to collisions regardless of building size. Compared to species of average risk, Ovenbirds were found to be 43.7 times more likely to collide with high-rise buildings and 112.1 times more likely to collide with residential homes! 🏡 In other words, it takes action from all of us, homeowners and businesses, to protect and conserve the Ovenbird! Now until June 15, go Lights Out to help protect the last of the birds migrating this spring- or take it a step further and make a bird-friendly retrofit to your glass windows! 🪟🐦💡 @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife #Ovenbird #Spring #Migration #BirdSafe
3 rescues today from a very rainy @lightsoutbaltimore walk with @jessica.landa ... ovenbird, a very wiggly common yellowthroat (not pictured), and a little brown bat! 🦇 They are now recuperating at @phoenixwildlifecenter 🪶 . . . #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #birdrescue #batrescue #littlebrownbat #ovenbird #rescuingwildlife #phoenixwildlifecenter #downtownbaltimore #innerharbor #volunteer #volunteerorganization #volunteerefforts #windowcollisions #windowcollision #birdsafebaltimore #birdsafewindows #birdsafebuildings #turnoffthelights #lightsoutforbats #birdsofnorthamerica #birds #birdsofinstagram #bird
Over the past three weeks, hundreds of millions of birds migrated through Texas in the peak of spring migration. The #LightsOutDFW team has boots-on-the-ground everyday surveying for downtown bird-building collisions and spreading awareness in the community! 🤝 Surveyors observed a dramatic increase in collision rates during this critical migration period, recording 80% of the 314 total casualties so far this spring. The team documented 251 collisions during peak migration, including 211 fatalities, 40 stunned and rescued birds, and about 30 new species. 🐦 🔦 We joined Trinity River Audubon Center and Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) on May 11 to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day! Visitors got the special chance to see our brand-new bird specimen display of collision casualties recovered in our downtown surveys. Thank you @brtc_tamu for loaning these prepared museum specimens to share with the community in our outreach and education! As we near the end of spring migration, don't forget to take action, flip-the-switch and spread the word for all the birds on their way through the Texas night sky tonight! 🌃✨ Special thanks to our many partners and survey volunteers! There’s two more weeks of surveys for you to join our most dedicated volunteers in earning your #LightsOutForWildlife pin! Interested in joining us? Visit our page to learn more and join our team of community scientists! @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist , Amon G. Carter Foundation, The Meadows Foundation @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteers #Birds #Migration #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
Today is World Migratory Bird Day! 🌎 Swipe though to see a few migrants who were recently admitted to City Wildlife during spring migration. This day celebrates migratory birds for their beauty, diversity, and the amazing journeys they make each spring/fall. It also aims to raise awareness for the human-related threats that migratory birds face. The 2024 theme is "Protect Insects, Protect Birds." Insects make up a significant portion of almost 80% of bird species, with a whopping 96% of North American birds rearing their young almost exclusively on insects! Yet these food sources have been rapidly disappearing in recent decades in what entomologists have deemed the "insect apocalypse." 🐛💔 If you love and want to protect birds-- or any wildlife for that matter-- you need to protect bugs! 🪲🐜🦋🦗🐞🕷️ But the loss of critical food sources is not the only major threat migratory birds face. One of the most significant threats to migrating birds is light pollution which disorients and exhausts these travelers, leaving them vulnerable to window collisions, predator attacks (especially domestic cats and dogs), and other dangerous conditions. Luckily, there are numerous ways that we can all help protect migratory birds, from reducing our use of artificial lights at night to planting native plants to support wildlife like insects and birds. ❤️ #migratorybirds #migration #springmigration #worldmigratorybirdday #commonyellowthroat #scarlettanager #hermitthrush #ovenbird #songbirds #washdc #washingtonian #urbanwildlife #citywildlife #windowstrike #lightsoutforwildlife #lightpollution
Our rescue today (ovenbird) at the Baltimore Convention Center from @lightsoutbaltimore monitoring walk. Please remember to turn your lights out at night and bird safe your windows! Our little birdfriend is now recuperating at @phoenixwildlifecenter 💛 . . . #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #lightsout #birdmonitoring #phoenixwildlifecenter #wildliferehab #birdsafebaltimore #birdsafewindows #windowcollisions #wildliferescue #birdrescue #volunteershift #birdloversofinstagram #birdsofinstagram #helpsavebirds #seiurusaurocapilla #downtownbaltimore #ovenbird #warblersofinstagram #warblers #volunteering #worldmigratorybirdday
If you’re noticing the Dallas skyline doesn’t look as bright as usual at night, there’s a reason for that — and it’s all about protecting wildlife. Downtown skyscrapers have been dimming their lights during the peak spring season for migratory birds. Did you know that nearly two billion birds travel through Texas on their way to northern breeding grounds every spring? #LightsOutForWildlife #UltimateVentures #UVDMC #Dallas #FortWorth #NorthTexas #DFW
The tiniest of birdfriends today. @jessica.landa and I rescued this little common yellowthroat this morning after he had collided with a window of the Baltimore Convention Center. Currently at @phoenixwildlifecenter for wildlife rehab. 💛 . . . #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #birdsafebaltimore #birdsafebuildings #birdsafe #windowcollisions #downtownbaltimore #commonyellowthroat #yellowthroat #birdrescue #wildliferescue #volunteerforwildlife #volunteers #birds #birdsofinstagram #warblers #warblersofinstagram #birdsofnorthamerica #wildlife #wildliferehab #weekendvolunteering #volunteershift #volunteerorganization #helpsavebirds # #birdmonitoring #geothlypistrichas
This Sunday at 6 pm on North Texas' @keratx station and at 5 pm on @austinpbs, be sure to catch the airing of the award-winning #LightsOutTexas film! This production of @cornellbirds covers this statewide campaign of Texans coming together to darken the night sky and protect migrating birds. Thank you, partners! And go lights out! ✨ @audubontexas @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @houstonzoo @brtc_tamu @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @houstonaudubon @travisaudubonsociety @darksky_texas @riobrazosaudubon @bexaraudubonsociety @fwmsh @texasmasternaturalist @texanbynature @lightsouttx #LightsOutDFW #LightsOutForWildlife #Birds #Migration
Peak Migration is upon us! The #LightsOutDFW team has been hard at work monitoring downtown bird-building collisions and taking part in community outreach across the metroplex! So far this spring, there've been 63 collision records including 54 mortalities and 9 stunned and rescued birds. New World Sparrows and Doves have been the most common species, though the team is preparing for a dramatic increase in other migratory species as the season enters its peak. 🐦 We've also been boots-on-the-grounds engaging and teaching hundreds of Texans about #LightsOutTexas. The team has joined many community events: Science Under the Stars at @collincollege, Full Circle Trail Run at LLELA, Earth Day Celebration at @fwmsh, and Early Childhood Career Day @kisdtx. This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay on May 11, you can join us in celebrating and learning at both the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) and the @trinityriverauduboncenter! As we enter this critical migration period, don't forget to flip-the-switch and go #LightsOutForWildlife! Take action, spread the word, and advocate for the millions of birds on their way through the Texas night sky tonight! 🌃✨ We're happy to again see @reuniontower and @downtown_fort_worth taking leading strives in turning off nonessential lights and creating a darker night sky! Special thanks to our many survey volunteers and partners! Interested in joining us? Visit our page to learn more and join our team of community scientists! @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist, Amon G. Carter Foundation, The Meadows Foundation @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteers #Birds #Migration #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
Spring Bird Migration is happening through April and May. Just last night alone it is 42,700 estimated over birds crossed Colorado! And there are small things you can do at home that make a big difference. Our human-built environment poses many challenges for birds, including distraction by artificial light & confusing aspects of glass. Making glass more visible to birds and reducing artificial light at night and other #BirdFriendly actions and can make a big difference! If you would like more info and tips, leave us a spring emoji in the comments and we will send you a couple links! #lightsoutforwildlife #coloradobirding #fortcollinsadubonsociety #springmigration #darksky #discoverthenight #protectbirds #savebirds #birdconservation
Webinar➡️ Lights out for South Carolina Wildlife! Join experts from @scwildlifefederation @scdnr and @audubon_sc to learn about bird migration, light pollution, and the impacts it has on many species, as well as what you can do about it! Visit our linktree in our bio to find the registration link and join us on April 18th from 12-1 🌙 #lunchandlearn #webinar #lightsout #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #darksky #wildlife #southcarolina #southcarolinawildlife #earthweek
A staggering est. 489,200 migrating birds flew over #WashingtonDC last night. A whopping 12.6 million flew over the #DMV ( #DC, #Maryland & #Virginia)! See our previous post for 3 ways you can help migrating birds. All of this information comes from Birdcast.info, which has an abundance of tools to explore migration data & expected migrants in your area. The scale & diversity of birds that pass over us, mostly while we sleep soundly, is astounding! We highly recommend exploring this awesome site! #LightsOutDC #lightsout #lightsoutforwildlife #springmigration #migratorybirds #washdc #citywildlife #urbanwildlife #darkskyweek #lightpollution
From now through June 15th! Show our feathered friends some love and don't light the way. Your electric company might not thank you, but the birds will with fewer building collisions. #LightsoutTexas #lightsoutfortworth #lightsoutforwildlife
Turn out lights to help migrating birds! March 15 - May 31 is peak migration time in Minnesota. Turn off exterior and unneeded indoor lights (or close the shades) from midnight until dawn. Turning out the lights could save thousands of lives! #OxbowPark #OxbowParkAndZollmanZoo #OxbowParkMN #Oxbow #OlmstedCounty #OlmstedCountyParks #RochMN #RochesterLocal #Rochester #ThingsToDoInRochester #Byron #ByronMN #Wildlife #Birds #Migration #LightsOut #LightsOutMN #MNAudubon #AudubonSociety #LightsOutForWildlife
Migration is in full swing! This week marks the beginning of the #LightsOutDFW team's spring surveys monitoring for downtown bird-building collisions. Interested in collecting important data and rescuing stunned birds? Sign up to become a volunteer surveyor with our link in bio! 🔦 Recent actions in North Texas underscore the united front amongst our efforts to protect migrating birds. The City of Dallas renewed their commitments this season with a spring Lights Out Proclamation. Just recently, the City of Cedar Hill followed in issuing their first official Lights Out Proclamation! Rockwall county has furthermore passed a unanimous decision to go Lights Out again this season at all government buildings. The City of Fort Worth’s Mayor Mattie Parker has also elevated the Lights Out message and is taking action at City Hall to dim lights year-round! We call upon other cities in North Texas to join this crucial initiative, amplifying our impact and ensuring safer travel for migratory birds across the region! Ask your city officials to join the many communities around the state going #LightsOutForWildlife! You're invited to visit the Lights Out Texas exhibit curated by @brtc_tamu at the @dogwoodcanyonauduboncenter showcasing statewide efforts with a diverse range of elements now through March 31! @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteers #Birds #Migration #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
#SpringMigration is just around the corner! Starting March 1, our state will soon be abuzz with the sights and sounds of millions of migratory birds traveling through Texas. 🐦 Calling on all Texans to go #LightsOutForWildlife! You can create safer passage for birds across the Texas night sky with a simple flip of a switch. Certify your home (link in bio) and spread the word! 🌃✨ The #LightsOutDFW team is preparing for their 8th season in Downtown Dallas and 3rd season in Downtown Fort Worth monitoring for bird-building collision victims. We look forward to rejoining forces with our survey partners and volunteers beginning March 11 through June 1. 🔦 Coming up: Join us for the Lights Out Texas Movie Night and Art Exhibit event at the @dogwoodcanyonauduboncenter on Saturday March 2 🎥 🖼 RSVP soon before seats run out! You can become a volunteer surveyor, find our seasonal events, and learn more on our website via link in bio. #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteers #Birds #Migration #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
On December 1st, the #LightsOutDFW team completed their seventh season of collision monitoring in downtown Dallas and second in downtown Fort Worth! 🌃 Surveying 865 miles across the metroplex, the team documented 623 bird collisions resulting in 490 mortalities, 54 stuns that could fly away, and 79 rescues. 🐦 TCA is proud to have broadened our community outreach this season. With growing partnerships, our team attended many events and presentations to spread awareness and inspire lights out action! Special thanks to the 100+ volunteers and partners that joined to support our efforts on-the-ground this fall! We look forward to working with you again this upcoming spring. @dallaszoo, @ftworthaudubon, @fwmsh, @perotmuseum, @texasmasternaturalist,@trinityriverauduboncenter. We extend our gratitude to all Texans that went #LightsOutForWildlife this fall to help darken the night sky and protect migrating birds! ✨ In the next few weeks, look out for the team’s final reports covering the season’s highlights and observations. #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteers #Birds #Migration #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
Recently, the Lights Out College Station! team completed the first year of their collision monitoring study on Texas A&M University's campus. 🦜🔦 Over a split 20-week survey period this year, the LOCS team documented 170 collisions including 150 fatalities and 20 stunned #birds across 37 species. Records now span 27 campus buildings with more than half of collisions having occurred at the top 5 targets of concern. With the newly established first-year data set, the LOCS team is advocating for bird-friendly building standards at @tamu. Notably this year, @cityofcollegestation joined cities around the state in proclaiming Lights Out Nights for birds and setting a precedent for action. Everyone can go #LightsOutForWildlife! Special thanks to @brtc_tamu and 20+ volunteers from @tmnbrazosvalley, @riobrazosaudubon, and @tamueccb for supporting this wildlife-saving initiative on campus! #LightsOutTexas #TAMU #TakeAction #ProtectWildlife
As we near the end of fall migration, the #LightsOutDFW team has completed the third quarter of their downtown collision monitoring. 🐦 🔦 Our team has documented 543 bird-building collisions so far this season. Despite an initial drop in migration intensity, surveyors observed a serge of late season migrants over the last two weeks. In the third quarter, the team recorded 230 collisions including 181 mortalities, 22 stunned birds able to fly away, and 27 birds rescued for rehabilitation and release! Notably on week 8, the #LightsOutFortWorth team also found and rescued a stunned Mexican free-tailed #Bat! Volunteer leaders carefully delivered "Futzy" to Bat World MidCities where he's being cared for over the winter. Once his colony returns in the spring, he's expected to join them back in the wild. 🦇 Congrats and thanks to our many dedicated volunteers that have earned their #LightsOutForWildlife pins for their wildlife-saving service this year! As always, thanks to our survey partners: @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist, Amon G. Carter Foundation, The Meadows Foundation #LightsOutTexas #TXCAT #Volunteer #Birds #Migration
Today's window collision rescue from our monitoring walk this morning with @lightsoutbaltimore ... an American woodcock aka timberdoodle. This guy is currently being cared for by @phoenixwildlifecenter ❤️ . . . #phoenixwildlifecenter #wildliferehab #wildliferescue #woodcock #timberdoodle #americanwoodcock #windowcollisions #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforbirds #lightsout #lightsoutforwildlife #birdsafewindows #birdrescue #scolopaxminor #birdsafebaltimore #birdsafebuildings #birdsafeglass #birdlovers #wildlife #helpsavebirds #birdmonitoring #birdsofnorthamerica #birds
On November 1, TCA held our annual Día de los Pájaros Muertos celebration! We gathered with friends and family to rejoice in memory of all the birds lost to collisions and honor all the people who work to save them. 🙌 🎉 Since our downtown collision-monitoring began in Fall 2020, the #LightsOutDFW! team has recorded 2,339 bird-building collision fatalities and 263 stunned and injured birds across more than 100 species. Our celebration served to commemorate and empower these continued efforts to spread awareness and protect our feathered friends! Many of these birds aren’t truly lost as they are used in scientific research across the country. Texas A&M University’s Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections serves as the statewide Lights Out Texas repository where salvage birds are sampled, prepared to museum standards, and cataloged into the collections. These bird specimens are then made available to the research community and are used today by countless scientists to help protect birds from avian diseases, microplastics, and more! TCA champions the Lights Out efforts of @reuniontower and others as we urge all buildings to take this wildlife-saving action. Remember to do your part to spread the word and go #LightsOutForWildlife through November 30th! Special thanks to our many volunteers and survey partners for your commitment to making a difference for birds! @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist @meadowsfoundation Amon G Carter Foundation 📸 Reunion Tower - Ronald Martinez/Getty Images #LightsOutTexas #TakeAction #Birds #migration
The #LightsOutDFW team completed the second quarter of their fall collision monitoring season and inspired communities around Texas to go #LightsOutForWildlife! 🌃✨ With peak fall migration coming to a close, surveyors observed a big increase in collisions rates over the past quarter. Our team has documented 313 bird-building collisions so far this season. In the second quarter, surveyors documented 142 fatalities, 20 stunned birds able to fly away, and 40 birds rescued for rehabilitation and release into natural habitat! As the team expected, #Sparrows (family Passerellidae) have replaced warblers as the most common collision species as sparrows are migrating through Texas in high numbers at this time of the season. Surveyors also expect to see a decrease in collision rates moving forward this season as migration intensity decreases. This quarter, TCA also engaged in community outreach. Lights Out Dallas and Fort Worth coordinators Jimena and Mariah gave presentations on the survey findings and how community members can get involved! Lights Out intern Nathan also educated the community at a tabling event at Cedar Hill State Park. Want to learn more about Lights Out DFW? Visit our webpage via link in bio! Special thanks to our many volunteers and survey partners! @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist, Amon G. Carter Foundation @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TakeAction #Volunteer #Birds #Migration
Even reunion Tower has been trying to help out our migrating friends! Migration doesn't end abruptly tomorrow night. There could still be many birds migrating through to the end of the month. Please keep any unnecessary exterior lighting to a minimum from 11pm to 6am. #LightsoutTexas #lightsoutforwildlife
"Colliding into Glass" is the title of my latest blog on my website. This photo is from the Chicago Tribune--an injured kingfisher from striking a building. I had my own empathy building collision with glass. Here's how my blog begins: "I’m lying on my back on the floor after running headfirst into a window and striking hard with my nose and my forehead. Hands over my face, I’m humiliated as nearby friends gasp. “Please just don’t tell anyone,” I say. Instead, I’m telling everyone who reads my blog. “You’re like a bird that hit a window,” said my husband Wes in that comforting way he has. He really does know what will help me–stirring the beginning of a story in my writer’s mind. A silver lining. Empathy. How suddenly a world can change when air clangs shut into glass. For too many birds, that’s their last moment. “One Night. One Building. 1000 Birds Dead” read the headline in the E-News I received from American Bird Conservancy the same day as my crash, October 9th. The prior Wednesday night, almost 1000 migrating birds flew into McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago and died, with thousands more dead and injured across the city. This four-story building features a glass exterior facing Lake Michigan. Birds die here regularly, but this appears to be a horrible new record, according to Douglas Stolz, a senior conservation ecologist at the natural history museum just a mile away. In the New York Times article, Stolz explained the perfect storm of events leading to the tragedy– a fierce storm, a delay, huge numbers of birds flying at once in the night, and then another storm that caused the flocks to descend into the confusion of lights and reflective glass buildings." #birdwindowcollisions #birdcollisions #lightsoutforwildlife #beltedkingfisher
The #LightsOutDFW team completed the first quarter of their fall season collision monitoring in downtown #Dallas and #FortWorth. 🔦✨ Surveyors saved birds and local inspired communities! In the first three weeks, our team documented 111 bird-building collisions including 97 fatalities, 8 stunned birds that were able to fly away, and 6 birds that were rescued. #Warblers (family Parulidae) have been the most common colliders so far, followed by pigeons/doves, and hummingbirds. Moving forward this season, our team expects to see an increase in sparrow collisions and a decrease in warblers as observed in past years. On week two, the Dallas team found a juvenile Virginia Rail confused and unable to find its way out of the glass-maze of downtown. Surveyors were successful in relocating this otherwise secretive swamp-bird to a local marshland where others of its kind commonly overwinter. We're very proud of each and every bird saved by our Lights Out team! As we approach the peak of fall migration, don't forget to go Lights Out! Thanks to @reuniontower and @downtownfortworth for the continued efforts this season to help darken the night sky. Do your part to spread the word and go #LightsOutForWildlife! Check out the Lights Out, DFW! webpage via link in bio for more! Special thanks to our many volunteers and survey partners! @perotmuseum @dallaszoo @trinityriverauduboncenter @ftworthaudubon @fwmsh @tarrantcountycollege @texasmasternaturalist, Amon G. Carter Foundation @lightsouttx #LightsOutTexas #TakeAction #Volunteer #Birds #Migration
Today's rescue from my bird monitoring walk with @lightsoutbaltimore and several UMBC students ... a common yellowthroat. We also found a dead mourning dove, sadly. Both at the Baltimore Convention Center. Please bird safe your windows and turn your lights out at night, especially during this migration season! 🪶 The common yellowthroat is really little! 4 inches long and weighing only 8 grams. Big thank you to @phoenixwildlifecenter as always for taking good care of our rescues 🪶 . . . #lightsoutforbirds #lightsout #lightsoutbaltimore #makewindowsbirdsafe #windowcollision #windowcollisions #phoenixwildlifecenter #baltimoreconventioncenter #birdrescue #birdmonitoring #commonyellowthroat #songbirds #migrationseason #birdmigration #fallbirdmigration #birdcollisions #birdcollisionmonitors #birdsafeglass #volunteer #naturevolunteer #wildliferescue #wildbirds #migratorybirds #birdsafebuildings #birdsafebaltimore #glasscollisions #lightsoutforwildlife #birdlover #birds
Birdtober has started. Always a chance to improve my digital art 🥰 #birdtober #inktober #birdart #bird #birddrawing #birdillustration #birdsofinstagram #illustration #birdpainting #birdartist #drawing #artchallenge #birds #grebe #painting #birdartwork #animaldrawing #wildlifeart #nature #animalart #drawingchallenge #artistsoninstagram #dailyart #lightsoutforwildlife #wildlife #inctober2023 #birdtober2023 #inctober23 #birdtober23
I got distracted by a Cooper’s Hawk on my way to watch the sun set, but it clearly had other plans for me. Instead, I found myself perfectly positioned to witness this stunning supermoon’s appearance in the eastern sky. It was so dazzling at first, that I wondered if it may even disorient nocturnal migrants tonight! The Harvest Moon seemed to have got the memo, however… and it gradually shrank to a more conceivable size as it rose from the horizon. I hope that small-town New England always has more sky than skyscrapers for the birds to collide with. [image description: a close up of a golden full moon, with its ridges and craters clearly visible.] #BirdJoyIsResistance #BirdingForABetterWorld #SunsetBirding #SunsetBirder #HarvestMoon #supermoon #SafeInNature #SurvivorsWhoBird #DecolonizeNatureConnection #lightsOutForWildlife #BirdCollisions
Turn your lights out for the birds this fall! #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsout #migration #seasons #fall #sky #birds #citizenscience #citsci
Lights out tonight, y'all! Please turn off unnecessary lights after dark. Not only will you save electricity (which = $), you'll help birds from becoming disoriented as they migrate. Most birds migrate at night. It is a Herculean feat; don't make it more difficult for them. https://birdcast.info #birdcast #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsouttexas #lightsoutforbirds #birds #falllmigration
Behold the caterpillar of the giant silkworm (cecropia) moth! Students from SMCC's Landscape Management class were visiting the Park on Friday when they found this beautiful larva happily eating bayberry leaves. Before long, the caterpillar will spin a silken cocoon and will overwinter as a pupa. These moths emerge in the spring and they are as big as your hand--they're the largest native moth in North America. Another great reason to plant native trees and shrubs! Images: Caterpillar by Andrea Southworth Moth by Charles Benjamin Schwamb, GFDL; CC-BY-SA-2.5,2.0,1.0 #fortwilliamspark #capeelizabeth #capeelizabethmaine #southportlandmaine #southportland #scarboroughmaine #giantsilkmoth #giantsilkwormmoth #cecropiacaterpillar #cecropiamothcaterpillar #nativeplantsofnewengland #nativeplantsforpollinators #northernbayberry #lightsoutforwildlife #southernmainecommunitycollege
Rescues today from our first monitoring walk of the season for @lightsoutbaltimore with @samuel.ha 🐦⬛ Nature-loving friends--we are always in need of more volunteers to walk and/or transport rescues! We monitor buildings in downtown Baltimore in the morning for any birds that may have collided with the glass during migration. Thank you @phoenixwildlifecenter for taking in these little guys! 💛 . . . #birdmonitoring #lightsoutbaltimore #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #lightsout #birdsafebaltimore #birdlover #birdrescue #wildliferescue #birdcollisionmonitors #migrationseason #birdmigration #volunteer #naturevolunteer #birdrescues #baltimore #downtownbaltimore #windowcollisions #glasscollisions #birdsafeglass #commonyellowthroat #starling #phoenixwildlifecenter #birdmonitor #wildbirds #migratorybirds #birds
I didn’t know this - let’s save birds with one easy flick of the light switch 🙏🏽❤️ #birds #peakmigration #lightsoutforwildlife
Comparto una ilustración que Lina López Ricaurte me encargó para su Tesis Doctoral: “Comportamiento migratorio y movimientos no reproductivos del cernícalo primilla revelados por tecnología GPS”, @ebdonana He tenido la suerte de que también aparezcan en el monográfico de @seo_birdlife “Migración y Ecología del movimiento de la población española de cernícalo primilla”. I share a commission for Lina López Ricaurte's Doctoral Thesis: “Migratory behavior and non-reproductive movements of the lesser kestrel revealed by GPS technology.” I have been lucky enough that they also appear in the SEO/Birdlife monograph “Migration and Ecology of the movement of the Spanish lesser kestrel population”. #animalart #artweinspire #bestofillustrations #biologyillustration #simpleillustrations #drawinganimals #drawingbirds #ecologyillustration #watercolour #indigo #ilovedrawing #illustrationartists #natureillustrationbird #illustration #marialeon #ilustraleon #nature #ilovebirds #scienceillustration #birdtober #birdtober2021 #inktober #inktober2021 #lightsoutforwildlife #chorlitejo #cernicalo #cernicsloprimilla #kestrel
On August 10th, @cityofcollegestation joined many cities around the state in proclaiming Lights Out Nights for birds! TCA intern and @tamueccb student, Skyler N, was one of the proponents of this initiative and spoke at City Hall to accept the proclamation along with our statewide partners during the #LightsOutTexas Symposium! TCA champions this wildlife-saving effort and calls on all cities and citizens of Texas to take lights-out action with the simple flip of a switch... 🌃✨ Fall migration starts today! This will be TCA's seventh season conducting collision surveys in Dallas and second in both Fort Worth and College Station. Nonetheless, we don't want to find stunned, injured, or dead birds- so keep birds flying high across the Texas night sky and go lights out! #LightsOutForWildlife #Migration #Conservation
It was an incredible moment to witness the sea turtle nest excavation and the release of the babies! Truly a #southflorida morning. #seaturtle #lightsoutforwildlife #babyturtles #delraybeachfl #southflorida #beach #beachlife #salty #palmbeaches
#seaturtle #seaturtlenesting #seaturtlenestingseason #seaturtlelove #seaturtles🐢 #seaturtleresearch #seaturtlepreservationsociety #seaturtleconservation #seaturtles #lightsout #lightsoutforseaturtles #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #clean #flat #townofpalmbeach #dogsonleash #nodigging #loggerheadmarinelifecenter #endangeredspecies #noaa #marineturtle #palmbeach #wildlifeconservation #respectthelocals #fwc #dep #nationalwildlifefederation #cleanblueocean
The #LightsOutDFW team has proudly concluded the sixth season of bird collision surveys in Downtown Dallas and the first season in Downtown Fort Worth. 🔦🌃 Across the metroplex, 422 records were documented, consisting of 338 mortalities, 45 rescues, and 39 stunned birds that hit windows and flew away. 🐦 Special thanks to the 68 volunteers and countless partners that joined to support these on-the-ground efforts: @dallaszoo, @ftworthaudubon, @fwmsh, @perotmuseum, @texasmasternaturalist, @trinityriverauduboncenter. In the coming weeks, look out for the final reports covering the collected data and extended findings from this spring. We look forward to welcoming volunteers again in the upcoming fall season! #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife #Volunteer #Birds #TakeAction #Dallas #FortWorth #DFW
This spring, TCA successfully piloted an on-campus collision survey program at Texas A&M University - College Station, as part of the statewide #LightsOutTexas campaign. Over a 9-week period, the Lights Out College Station team surveyed 127.8mi, documenting 65 collisions specimens across 22 species and 19 buildings on campus. Congrats to TCA's Spring 2023 intern and @tamueccb student, Skyler, for taking on this project! From here, he hopes to begin collaborating with university decision-makers to pursue bird-friendly standards at his campus. Thank you to @audubontexas @cornellbirds @okstate @brtc_tamu for standardizing the collision study methods adapted for this program! You can learn more about TCA's #internship program and Skyler's project from his blog post linked below! https://www.tcatexas.org/post/reflecting-on-my-tca-experience #LightsOutForWildlife #Texas #Birds #Conservation @tamu #TAMU #CollegeStation #TakeAction
River Legacy Nature Center is now an officially-certified Lights Out for Wildlife site! Our certification puts us closer to saving millions of Texas birds from collisions with brightly lit homes and buildings. Please visit https://www.tcatexas.org/lights-out-for-wildlife to learn more about Lights Out for Wildlife and how you can get your home certified. #RiverLegacy #LightsOutForWildlife
On May 9th, Rockwall County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a motion to go lights out! All non-essential lights will be turned off at the county's municipal buildings through the end of this spring migration season. Thank you #LightsOutDallas Coordinator Heather for spearheading this effort! "Rockwall County is proud to lead the effort to make our county a safe haven for migratory birds and encourage all citizens and businesses to participate in Lights Out, DFW!" - Rockwall County Judge Frank New Congratulations @rockwall_county_comm_court for taking this wildlife-saving action! Remember, we all can help create a darker night sky for migrating birds with the simple flip of a switch... 🌃✨ #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife #birdmigration #rockwalltx
#seaturtle #seaturtlenesting #seaturtlenestingseason #seaturtlelove #seaturtles🐢 #seaturtleresearch #seaturtlepreservationsociety #seaturtleconservation #seaturtles #lightsoutforseaturtles #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #clean #flat #townofpalmbeach #dogsonleash #nodigging #loggerheadmarinelifecenter #endangeredspecies #noaa #leatherbackturtle #marineturtle #palmbeach #wildlifeconservation #respectthelocals #fwc #dep #nationalwildlifefederation #cleanblueocean
Lights Out DFW volunteers earned these beautiful collector’s pins for attending at least 5 morning surveys! Thank you to everyone who committed to helping migratory birds this spring. 🙌🏽🐦 Our very own LOFW Assistant Coordinator, Madison Gover, designed the pin with the American Woodcock. Madison loves drawing and helping wildlife. “I wanted to create something for our volunteers to show them how much they are appreciated, and I felt like a pin was the perfect idea,” she said. Volunteer with us - there is less than a month left to earn your pin! Lights Out surveys take place in Fort Worth and Dallas every morning, rain or shine, through May 31. You can also visit our Facebook page to learn more about why we chose the American woodcock as the 2023 #LightsOutDFW Ambassador! Turn out your lights from 11pm-6am through May to help birds like the woodcock navigate safely. #LightsOutFortWorth #LightsOutDallas #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife
This is so important right now! It’s migration season . From late April (Southern states) to the end of May (Northeast) #cornelllabofornithology #saveoursongbirds #lightsoutforwildlife
#LightsOutFortWorth: Dedicated volunteers spent every morning in April searching for bird-window collisions. Here are key findings from LOFW surveys! Peak spring migration is happening now. We documented 35 #birds during April surveys, including 26 fatalities, 7 stunned birds, and 2 sent to rehab. Pigeons and doves were most common, but as migration kicks up, we are noticing more migratory collision victims like this painted bunting. We are excited that many buildings in the Fort Worth skyline have gone dark to help these birds navigate the night skies on their journeys. Huge thank-yous to @cornellbirds, @downtownfortworth, and the @cityoffortworth for engaging downtown businesses with Lights Out! YOU can help birds, too! Downtown surveys in Dallas and Fort Worth will continue through May 31, rain or shine. Reach out to us if you would like to #volunteer or if you want a Lights Out Fort Worth yard sign to tell to your neighbors about #LightsOutForWildlife. Together, we can make Fort Worth safer for birds. Special thanks to the Amon G. Carter Foundation for supporting Lights Out Fort Worth and to our many partners, including the @fwmsh, Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus, @audubontexas, and Texas A&M BRTC. Conservation is a team effort!
TCA’s largest intern group successfully completed their spring internships! Please join us in congratulating these rising conservationists. 🙌🏽 Spring 2023 interns said this internship helped them develop new skills in the field, including plant care, bird identification, and environmental #education, as well as life skills like how to work with a team, plan ahead, and try new things. Interns helped TCA propagate #plants in the greenhouse, lead Lights Out surveys, host habitat #restoration events, and more! Scroll through the photos to learn more about each intern’s work this semester. Thank you to Ashley G., Ashley W., Carson, Sam, Scott, Shrishanti, and Skyler! We enjoyed having you this spring and can’t wait to see what you do next! Also, we’re giving a shout-out to Intern Zachary C., who just began his internship with our #LightsOutFortWorth team last month. #TXCAT #SaveTogether #KeepTexasWild #Conservation #Volunteer #Intern #NativePlants #Teamwork #LightsOutForWildlife
Respect The Locals #seaturtle #seaturtlenesting #seaturtlenestingseason #seaturtlelove #seaturtles🐢 #seaturtleresearch #seaturtlepreservationsociety #seaturtleconservation #seaturtles #lightsout #lightsoutforseaturtles #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #clean #flat #townofpalmbeach #dogsonleash #nodigging #loggerheadmarinelifecenter #endangeredspecies #noaa #leatherbackturtle #marineturtle #palmbeach #wildlifeconservation #respectthelocals #fwc #dep #nationalwildlifefederation #cleanblueocean
Woohoo!! It’s now officially sea turtle season! So what does that mean? Well most importantly, it is now officially illegal to have artificial lights visible on beaches at night in Brevard County (from 9 pm-5 am). Why? Artificial light from a cell phone, flashlight, condo, house, hotel, or incorrectly pointed street light impacts sea turtle nesting negatively. For instance, momma loggerhead or green sea turtles are easily scared off from seeing artificial light or movement (think shadow) from artificial light. If a mom is scared off enough times, she may dump her eggs in the ocean or even on the beach. Each year, thousands of newly hatched sea turtle babies (hatchlings) get disoriented by artificial light and go the wrong way. They often crawl into the dune and onto A1A and get run over. Extra time crawling around on the beach also takes needed energy from these baby sea turtles. The longer hatchlings are on the beach, the more likely they are to be predated by raccoons, crabs, and ants. So, it’s that time of year again. Even though we should keep artificial lights off on the beach year-round, we must do it during nesting season. Some scientists say that the number one way you can help sea turtles survive is just keep them in the dark. We must do our best to spread awareness about sea turtle season and how we humans unknowingly impact them. We have to explain to our new neighbors that you have to remove your beach furniture at night, you should fill in your beach holes and knock down sand castles before leaving the beach. Everyone living directly on the beach must remember to close their blinds at night. Saving sea turtles can be really simple. Just keep the beaches Clean! Flat! & Dark! #seaturtlenesting #seaturtlenestingseason #seaturtlelove #seaturtles🐢 #seaturtleresearch #seaturtlepreservationsociety #seaturtle #seaturtleconservation #seaturtles #cleanflatdark #lights #out #lightsout #lightsoutforseaturtles #light #sound #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #clean #flat #dark #todaysdar #darconservation
Woohoo!! It’s now officially sea turtle season! So what does that mean? Well most importantly, it is now illegal to have artificial light visible on beaches at night in Brevard County (from 9 pm-5 am). Why? Artificial light from a cell phone, flashlight, condo, house, hotel, or incorrectly pointed street light impacts sea turtle nesting negatively. For instance, momma loggerhead or green sea turtles are easily scared off from seeing artificial light or movement (think shadow) from artificial light. If a mom is scared off enough times, she may dump her eggs in the ocean or even on the beach. Each year, thousands of newly hatched sea turtle babies (hatchlings) get disoriented by artificial light and go the wrong way. They often crawl into the dune and onto A1A and get run over. Extra time crawling around on the beach also takes needed energy from these baby sea turtles. The longer hatchlings are on the beach, the more likely they are to be predated by raccoons, crabs, and ants. So, it’s that time of year again. Even though we should keep artificial lights off on the beach year-round, we must do it during nesting season. Some scientists say that the number one way you can help sea turtles survive is just keep them in the dark. We must do our best to spread awareness about sea turtle season and how we humans unknowingly impact them. We have to explain to our new neighbors that you have to remove your beach furniture at night, you should fill in your beach holes and knock down sand castles before leaving the beach. Everyone living directly on the beach must remember to close their blinds at night. Saving sea turtles can be really simple. Just keep the beaches Clean! Flat! & Dark! #seaturtlenesting #seaturtlenestingseason #seaturtlelove #seaturtles🐢 #seaturtleresearch #seaturtlepreservationsociety #seaturtle #seaturtleconservation #seaturtles #cleanflatdark #lights #out #lightsout #lightsoutforseaturtles #light #sound #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsoutforbirds #clean #flat #dark
Peak #bird migration is April 22-May 12! Our Lights Out Dallas team continues surveying for birds that collided with buildings. Here’s what we’ve learned: 🐦 Collisions are trending up as we enter peak migration with 94 total birds found. Sparrows, waxwings, and pigeons and doves are the most common, but warblers are on the rise. Historically, we have found the most warblers in the first weeks of May. 🐦 As numbers rise, we are also seeing more stunned birds. Dedicated volunteers bring them to rehab centers for a speedy recovery! THANK YOU: We are grateful to our many partners and volunteers, including the @cornellbirds, @audubontexas, the Founders Garden Club of Dallas, former First Lady Laura Bush, and many more for their support of #LightsOutTexas! COMING UP: 🐦Join TCA at @trinityriverauduboncenter’s World Migratory Bird Day Event on May 13! Activities include guided bird walks, native plant walks, and a live bird banding demonstration. 🐦Lights Out Surveys continue through May 31. Volunteers are welcome any morning in Dallas or Fort Worth - no RSVP required! Nearly 2 billion birds migrate through Texas each spring. Texans can protect them during this critical period by going #LightsOutForWildlife!
Thank you to everyone who visited TCA’s booth at the EarthX convention in Dallas this weekend! We were overjoyed to raise awareness about the importance of #NativePlants, our Lights Out for Wildlife campaign, stopping the Marvin Nichols Reservoir, and the #TXCAT habitat restoration program. We had many meaningful conversations and already recruited new volunteers! Many thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers and interns for managing the booth. We extend a big thank-you to our partners at @PatagoniaDallas and the @DallasZoo for collaborating with us! The zoo also gave away native plants propagated by TCA and zoo volunteers. We can’t wait to see you again next year. #StopMarvinNichols #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife #Restoration #Conservation #Community
283,400 birds migrated over Durham County, North Carolina on April 19, 2023 (BirdCast.info). Most birds migrate at night and are guided by the stars, natural landmarks, and instinct. A simple and poignant way to help them on their journey is to reduce artificial light, especially between 11pm-6am when most birds are in flight. May all of our avian friends find safety and hospitality. #springmigration #artfornature #advocacyart #lightsoutforbirds #lightsoutforwildlife #nurturenature #blessingforbirds
Texas Conservation Alliance invites you to join volunteers from NTMN and others in #LightsOutDallas surveys. Each spring, millions of birds migrate through Texas. However, light pollution from cities can disorient and draw them into cities. Many birds collide with lit buildings or become vulnerable to predators and other urban threats. Volunteer from 6 to 8 am in downtown Dallas to survey for birds that have struck windows! Contact [email protected] to get involved with the amazing Lights Out team! Pledge to go #LightsOutForWildlife! Turn out your lights 11pm-6am during peak migratory season, March-May, and encourage your friends, workplace, or place of worship to do the same.
TCA’s Lights Out Dallas team enjoyed meeting members of the Founders Garden Club of Dallas at the Birds of a Feather - A GAC Flower Show this week. Thank you to all the visitors who learned about the Lights Out movement and supported the cause by taking yard signs and spreading the word.🐦 We are also grateful to the Founders Garden Club of Dallas for championing the #LightsOutTexas program! Special thank you to former First Lady Laura Bush, a champion of Lights Out Texas campaign, for visiting the Conservation exhibit and showing her support! We are also delighted to announce that our Conservation and Education Exhibit won the Marion Thompson Fuller Brown Conservation Award for outstanding exhibit. We raised awareness about light pollution and how to create healthy habitats for wildlife. Our work would not be possible without the many volunteers, partners, and survey leaders behind Lights Out Texas, including @cornellbirds and @audubontexas. Please remember to turn out your lights from 11pm-6pm until May 31, the end of peak migration! @thegardenclubofamerica #LightsOutDallas #LightsOutForWildlife #advocacy #conservation #outreach #LightPollution #wildlife
If you need outdoor lighting, what kind is best? 🌙Consider only lighting areas you need illuminated, reduce over wash. 🌙Avoid blue and bright white LED’s they harm and disorient insects, contributing to the insect apocalypse! Fewer insects means fewer birds! 🌙If you need lights on, choose energy efficient LED bulbs in warm tones, the warmer the better! 🌙when choosing lighting fixtures, look for the dark sky approved IDA label. 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕. #darkskyweek #idalighting #lightsoutforbirds #lightsoutforwildlife #bringthestarsback #choosewisely #warmlights #lessisbetter @idadarksky @starryskiessouth @audubon_sc @audubonsociety
Hello Instagram! We’re back and we have some new developments! We partnered with @starryskiessouth to have this week proclaimed as Dark Sky Week by Mayor Tecklenburg! Check out our posts and stories this week to learn more about why light pollution really matters to birds, insects, other wildlife, and us! #darkskyweek #charleston #lightsout #lightsoutcharleston #lightsoutforwildlife #bringthestarsback #bringthebirdsback #lightsoutforbirds @audubonsociety @audubon_sc
Did you know a simple flip of the switch can help birds migrate more safely at night? Spring migration is in full swing, and you can help keep our nocturnal migrants on track by turning off bright outdoor lighting that obscures the natural guiding glow of the moon and stars. - #internationaldarkskyweek #internationaldarkskyassociation #lightsoutforbirds #lightsoutforwildlife
Take action: TCA begins Lights Out Fort Worth surveys! 🐦 Join us each morning April 1-May 31 from 6am-8am, rain or shine, to survey for #birds that have collided with buildings in downtown Fort Worth. Light #pollution can distract and disorient migratory birds, causing them to fly into cities and collide with lit buildings. Can’t come to surveys? You can still help threatened migratory birds like ovenbirds and painted buntings! Turn off any unnecessary lighting at your home, business, or place of worship from 11pm-6am during peak migration season, March-May. To read more about Lights Out Fort Worth, visit the link in our bio. Together, we can save wildlife! #LightsOutFortWorth #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife #migration #spring #volunteer #TakeAction #wildlife #KeepTexasWild Special thanks to our partners at the Amon G. Carter Foundation, @fwmsh, @tarrantcountycollege, @dt_fort_worth, @audubontexas, @dallaszoo, @trinityriverauduboncenter, @perotmuseum, @ntmasternaturalist @blacklandprairietxmn @cornellbirds and @texanbynature.
Did you know 25% of all migratory birds in North America travel through Texas? TCA visited our friends at the @dallaszoo for their Homeschool Day event to educate guests about bird #migration! We enjoyed talking to families about how they can take action for wildlife through #LightsOutTexas. Many parents certified their homes as #LightsOutForWildlife friendly, while kids learned about birds with coloring pages and a bird migration quiz! Thank you to all the staff and interns who managed the tables, especially intern Ashley G. for coordinating the event. We love working with you to save wildlife. 💚 #birds #interns #TakeAction #wildlife
Did you know? Today is #WorldSparrowDay! New World sparrows are some of the most common migratory #birds we see during Lights Out surveys. White-throated Sparrows and Lincoln’s Sparrows were the top collision victims in fall 2021 and 2022 as they migrated south to their wintering grounds. These sparrows are adaptable songbirds that eat mostly seeds and insects. Both parents chip in to caring for the young. Help sparrows and other migratory birds this #LightsOutTexas season by turning out your lights from 11pm-6am from March-May! We can protect Texas #wildlife for future generations. #LightsOutForWildlife #bird #song #sparrow #CreatureFeature #TexasWildlife
📢 Help us protect our night skies in just a few minutes! Tap the link in our bio to take action now and tell the House Joint Committee on Transportation to vote “yes” on HB 3202. HB 3202, Oregon Night Sky Protection Act, aims to reduce the unnecessary and oftentimes excessive outdoor artificial light at night that imperils millions of night migrating birds, disrupts carefully choreographed ecosystem functions, interferes with human health and safety, wastes money and energy, contributes to climate change, and damages dark sky tourism. HB 3203 demonstrates the state’s leadership in taking a critical step towards curtailing the growing threat to our night skies, our wildlife, and our own human health. [Image Description: A graphic announcing Portland Audubon's Action Alert to tell the House Committee to pass HB 3202, Oregon Night Sky Protection Act. The graphic uses a photo of downtown Portland at night to show the light pollution caused by the city.] #HouseBill3203 #HB3202 #OregonLegislature #OregonHouseCommittee #ProtectBirds #ProtectNightSkies #LightsOut #LightsOutOregon #LightsOutForWildlife #WildlifeConservation #TurnOffTheLights #SpringMigration #MigratingBirds #PacificFlyway #HazardousLighting #PortlandOregon #PortlandAudubon
Day 3 of the building collision study in Downtown Austin. Featured is volunteer leader Azalia R. And volunteer Beckett P. Collection: No birds found Weather: 45 degrees, windy & light sprinkling Activity: Low migration #lightsoutforwildlife #lightsouttexas #lightsoutaustin #lightsouttexas2023
I am streaming for charity! Playing Planet Zoo at https://twitch.tv/skrinkles https://donate.tiltify.com/@skrinkles/pawsforearthhour #twitchaffiliate #presspausefornature #lightsoutforwildlife #planetzoo #twitchstreamer #cozystream #selfieforstream #happynationalpandaday
#lightsoutforwildlife #stoplightpollution #darknessishabitat
💡 #LightsOutDallas surveys begin March 13! Each spring, millions of birds migrate through Texas. However, light pollution from cities can disorient and draw them into cities. Many birds collide with lit buildings or become vulnerable to predators and other urban threats. How can YOU help? Join us starting 6am-8am in Dallas starting next week to survey for birds that have struck windows! Our work is helping researchers study bird migration and motivating North Texans to go #LightsOut. Contact [email protected] to get involved with our amazing Lights Out team! Can’t make it out for morning surveys? Pledge to go #LightsOutForWildlife! Turn out your lights 11pm-6am during peak migratory season, March-May, and encourage your friends, workplace, or place of worship to do the same. (You can get certified as Lights Out friendly for free at tcatexas.org!) Thank you to our partners and volunteers. We look forward to another successful survey season! @ntmasternaturalist @blacklandprairietxmn @DallasZoo @PerotMuseum @AudubonTexas @TexanbyNature @trinityriverauduboncenter @tamu #birds #Texas #wildlife #KeepTexasWild #DarkSkies
This fall, TCA’s #LightsOutDallas team recorded its largest bird-window collision event yet. 25 birds were found in one morning and 10 struck a single building in downtown Dallas. We suspect this was caused by a firework display in the area that startled the birds into flying into the glass. 🎆 Moving forward, TCA will monitor fireworks displays downtown during bird migration season in the spring and fall to observe how #birds are impacted and make suggestions to city officials on how to protect them. Together, we can make the night skies safer for birds. To read more from the fall 2022 Lights Out report, please contact us via DM or email and we will send it to you! 💡🐦 #bird #migration #LightsOutForWildlife #LightsOutTexas
Happy new year! 🎉 Our 2022 in review: TCA exceeded our goals to restore habitat and educate Texans about #wildlife, and we couldn’t have done it without you! We can quantify the number of trees planted or litter removed, but the impact you’ve made for #nature is beyond measurement. Together, we can have another successful year in 2023! What was your favorite part of volunteering with TCA this year? #habitat #restore #volunteer #support #pollution #trees #prairie #education #nature #NoMarvinNichols #LightsOutTexas #LightsOutForWildlife #DontMessWithTexas
We are proud to conclude our fifth Lights Out survey season looking for birds that collided with windows! We found 400 birds: 322 mortalities, 28 rescues, and 50 stunned birds that recovered on their own. These birds included two new species - Black-chinned hummingbirds and LeConte’s sparrows! We are also inspired by community engagement with Lights Out. We welcomed 17 youth survey volunteers, and a whopping 143 buildings pledged to go #LightsOutForWildlife and turn off nonessential lighting this fall! Special thanks to: Our partners, including the @PerotMuseum, @DallasZoo, and Texas Master Naturalists; the building staff who notify us about bird strikes; and all the volunteers who helped us spread the word and survey for birds, rain or shine! We are so thankful for you and the impact we’re making for birds with #LightsOutTexas. See you next spring! #birds @texanbynature @audubontexas @turtlecreekconservancy, @texasmasternaturalist
We are TCA: Meet Jim S., our last (but not least) survey leader with #LightsOutForWildlife! Jim is a retired mechanical engineer who became interested in local natural history and conservation. Seasons with Lights Out Texas: 1 (with more to come!) Favorite part of Lights Out: “Meeting interesting people committed to bird conservation action.” Favorite bird species: Eastern screech owl 🦉* *Jim and his wife Jane watched a pair of Eastern screech owls use the owl nest in their backyard! The male (“Al,” the red morph) and female (“Alice,” gray morph) had three sets of owlets. Thank you to Jim for making our survey mornings possible! We are grateful for your dedication to Texas wildlife. ❤️ Coming soon: Watch for a recap of the Lights Out fall season in Dallas in early December! #LightsOutTexas
Congratulations to our fall interns, Heather and Mariana! These two conservationists made a big difference in TCA’s restoration programs. Heather led Lights Out Dallas surveys, where she gained experience leading a team of volunteers and communicating scientific information to the public. “I’ve also honed existing skills crucial to an aspiring field ecologist,” she said. “I am incredibly thankful to everyone at TCA for giving me this fantastic opportunity and mentoring me these last 10 weeks!” Mariana worked in TCA’s greenhouse, organized a successful litter removal event at Bardwell lake, and attended other events and Lights Out surveys. “I was able to try out multiple areas that interested me,” she said. “I am so grateful for the experience and the relationships I was able to build through this internship.” Thank you both for your hard work. We look forward to seeing what you do next! Interested in joining our team? College students in Texas can apply for our PAID spring internship starting Dec 1! Visit tcatexas.org or contact us for details. 🙌 #WeAreTCA #Interns #LightsOutForWildlife
Repost from @tcatexas • We are TCA: Meet Gary, a Lights Out for Wildlife survey leader! His favorite part of Lights Out: “Enjoying the company of fellow bird lovers who willingly get out of their warm beds to contribute to this important study. Added bonus: Downtown appears magical at dawn.” Why the surveys matter: All of TCA’s data contributes to research on how to help migrating birds in North Texas. “I've learned a lot about the diversity of bird species that migrate through our part of the state.” Favorite bird: Black and White Warbler Other conservation involvement: North Texas Master Naturalists, Dallas Master Gardeners, and Dallas Citizen Foresters Gary has volunteered with Lights Out since it started in fall 2020. Visit our Facebook page to learn more about Gary - and drop a comment to let him know how much we appreciate him! ❤️ #LightsOutForWildlife #LightsOutTexas #Volunteer #WeAreTCA