By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
Millions of birds travel through Texas each spring along the Central Flyway, but bright lights and unsafe windows put them at risk.
Most birds cannot see glass, and glare from lights increases the danger at night. During the day, birds may mistake window reflections of trees, bushes or sky as safe places to land, leading to collisions.
In support of Lights Out and Bird City Texas conservation efforts, the College Station Parks and Recreation Department encourages businesses, schools and residents to take simple steps to reduce window strikes during spring migration. By turning off unnecessary lights and creating bird-safe window designs, you can help protect migrating birds during the day and night.
Turn Off Non-Essential Lights
During the spring (March–June) and fall (August–November) migration, bright lights can confuse birds flying at night, causing them to stray off course or collide with windows. Turning off non-essential lights from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. provides safe passage for nocturnal migrants and reduces the risk of window strikes.
Window Painting Contest
To help prevent bird strikes, decorate your windows with Texas spring bird migration–themed designs and submit a photo of your painted window to parks@cstx.gov by noon on May 8. Designs should use solid patterns with gaps no larger than 2 inches.
The top designs will be featured for community voting during World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 9, from 8- 11 a.m. at the Gary Halter Nature Center. The winner will be announced on May 12 and will receive a gift basket.
The artwork adds seasonal color, and participants are encouraged to keep their artwork up through June 1 to continue protecting migrating birds.
More than 1 billion birds die from window collisions nationwide each year. Your simple actions can make a meaningful impact on bird conservation.
For more information, contact the Gary Halter Nature Center at 979-764-6216 or parks@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Kelli Nesbitt has served the Parks & Recreation Department for 19 years, including 12 years as marketing coordinator. She also served 1.5 years as the marketing and community engagement specialist for the City of Bryan from 2023-25. A Bryan native, Nesbitt earned a bachelor’s degree in health & kinesiology from Sam Houston State.
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