A black-throated blue warbler appeared outside the office window the other day, and it got me to thinking. My first thought went something like, “Hey, that’s a black-throated blue warbler!” And then the ol’ bean went silent.
But just for a minute. A second thought soon bubbled to the surface, and this one is with me still today. The fall migration is in full swing, and thousands of birds are flying to, and through, Kane County every day. But…many of these of these birds aren’t going to make it to their wintering grounds.
“Aw, gee,” you’re probably thinking. “Don’t ruin my day.” But hopefully your thought process continues to include, “Okay, since you brought it up, why? Why won’t these birds complete their migrations?”
The reason is clear. Actually, it’s absolutely clear, and that’s the problem. The reason is: Windows.
According to Chicago’s Bird Conservation Network, more than 100 million birds across North America will die this year as a result of window collisions. Millions more will wind up with broken wings or legs, nerve damage or at the very least a colossal headache.
It’s a huge problem, and one that’s daunting to solve. Because when you stop to think about it—and I hope you’re in full thinking mode now—windows are everywhere. Your home, your office, the school, the store…just about every building you can think of has windows.
To humans, windows are a source of light, of enjoyment. They’re an important and functional architectural detail. But to a bird, windows are hazardous at best, and often times fatal.
Evolution and adaptation have yet to give birds the ability to perceive glass as a barrier. To them, the reflection of trees and sky mean just that—more trees and sky to fly toward. Or if there’s no reflection and the glass is clean, birds crash because they think there’s nothing there.
This is a topic we’ve visited time and again here at the park district. Our new building, the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, will contain 10,500 sq. ft. of nature’s awesomeness—murals, displays and exhibits all dedicated to the finest features our natural areas have to offer. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece that includes—you guessed it—windows. Lots and lots of windows, some more than two stories tall.
The last thing we want is a monument to nature that also happens to harm some of the very creatures it’s committed to protecting. So we’ve outlined several steps to take to reduce—and ideally eliminate—the possibility of bird window collisions.
One option we’ll be putting into use is bird feeders set close to the building—within about three feet. This distance provides some degree of depth perception for the birds, yet is close enough that they won’t hurt themselves if they should bolt suddenly (like when Mr. or Ms. Cooper’s hawk pays a visit) and hit a window.
Because our research also indicates that window decals don’t work, unless they cover the entire surface of the window, we’re also looking at the use of perforated films. This material, available in widths of up to 4 ½ feet, allows light in and allows people to see out, yet appears as a solid surface to birds.
Another option, sent to us by the folks at the American Bird Conservancy, is netting. A wide-mesh net, installed on the outside of the building, is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to keep birds away from windows. The trouble, as you can probably imagine, is with aesthetics; hence this alternative is being reserved and will only be put into use if all other options fail.
The strategies we’re looking at are designed for large commercial structures. But birds crash into residential structures too. If you’d like some tips on how to make your home more bird safe, visit BCN’s and ABC’s web sites, www.bcnbirds.org and www.abcbirds.org.
Give this topic some consideration this weekend, but don’t give yourself a headache. Remember, though, that your efforts just might save a bird from getting one.
Pam Otto is the manager of nature programs and interpretive services for the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at potto@stcparks.org or 630-513-4346.