THREAD DRIFT
I won't be advising pilots not to use lights as part of a bird strike avoidance strategy, but during my time looking after CAP772 (and its predecessor ) at the CAA I never read any scientific papers that conclusively supported the idea.
Whilst helping to run Manchester Airport including duty management of the 'Bird Unit', 99.9% of aircraft struck were showing all of their lights.
Flying light aircraft by day in VMC I've never had a bird strike, but I've seen plenty of species clearly take avoiding action in front of me. Birds have very good eyesight and hearing, so I guess that they've seen me in time to assess the risk to themselves and avoid. Most of my flying has been sub 120 kts so speed of approach must play a part.
The best way to avoid a strike taking off or landing is to encourage the landowner to deter birds from visiting through a habitat management plan. No attractant on airfield = no birds. No it doesn't but it should be the target.