During fall migration, many birds passing through Tulsa are traveling much farther than the city limits. For some, the dangerous part of the trip is a window downtown.

The Tulsa Bird Collaborative is trying to change that. As Gabriella Bock reported for Tulsa Flyer, co-founder Georgia Riggs and volunteers including Mary Jackson have been examining areas around downtown buildings, recording birds found after collisions and noting where the incidents happen.

This is the group's first coordinated fall monitoring season. Its observations are intended to help identify places where changes to glass or lighting could protect birds traveling through the city. The effort pairs people who care about wildlife with a practical question: What can Tulsa change along the route?

Some answers are surprisingly close to home. Tulsa Audubon encourages residents and building owners to switch off non-essential lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., while maintaining essential safety lighting, during peak fall migration, August 15 through October 31. Outdoor fixtures directed downward and treatments that make windows visible to birds are other approaches discussed by the volunteers.

The collaborative is seeking more help with monitoring and outreach. Readers can learn about the group through the Tulsa Flyer profile and find the Lights Out Tulsa guidance from Tulsa Audubon.