Why are Reunion Tower's lights going out in Dallas, Texas?
DALLAS — This spring, a group of volunteers slowly walked through downtown Dallas and found 295 birds that died while flying through downtown Dallas.
The group, Lights Out Dallas , aims to track the number of birds killed after being disoriented by bright city lights and colliding with buildings. Estimates differ, but a 2024 study projects that between 1.28 billion and 3.46 billion birds are killed annually in the U.S. by flying into heavily-lit urban areas.
While Reunion Tower is known for its nighttime light shows, during the fall and spring migration season it goes dark to limit the number of birds killed. From Oct. 14 through Nov. 17, the Reunion Tower lights will dim starting at sundown until 11 p.m., go dark completely until 6 a.m. and then remain dim until sunrise.
"By lowering its lights, Reunion Tower will do its part again to protect the birds and allow them safe passage," Reunion Tower said in a press release.
Lighting can attract migrating birds to an area from as far as five kilometers away, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service . Birds can be trapped by these bright lights and circle the area endlessly until they are exhausted. Others die from colliding with buildings.
Lights Out Dallas, which is part of the Texas Conservation Alliance, is conducting surveys three days a week starting Sept. 9 through Nov. 29. The twice-annual survey began in Fall 2020. Since then, Lights Out Dallas volunteers have collected 2,645 dead birds, representing 108 species. The group allows homes and buildings the be certified Lights Out for Wildlife participants. Property owners pledge to dim or turn off interior and exterior lights at night to protect migratory birds.
"While many buildings are aware of the Lights Out Texas campaign, City Hall, Dallas Public Libraries, and Reunion Tower have been the most consistent supporters of this campaign," Jimena Vivanco, Lights Out Dallas coordinator, said.
Hunt Corporate Headquarters and Bank of America tower also consistently dim or turn off their lights during migration season, she added.
If you're interested in learning more about how to protect migratory birds, the Perot Museum will host a screening of a film about Lights Out Dallas on Oct. 9.
