After escaping the Central Park Zoo in February 2023, New York City residents took delight in spotting Flaco the Eagle Owl around the Big Apple. Unfortunately, Flaco died on February 23, 2024 after smashing into a window on a high-rise building in the Upper East Side. This is the fate of an estimated billion birds every year, a statistic which is the basis for Lights Out campaigns across the nation.
The bird migrations in the spring and fall lead to a large percentage of these bird-building collisions. Many birds migrate at night and are confused by lights, resulting in collisions and frequently bird deaths. According to the BirdCast dashboard, 42,500 birds crossed Washtenaw County last night, including 11 types of waterfowl, 3 types of sparrows, and juncos. The Lights Out Campaign directs lights to be turned off or shades to be drawn in rooms on the fifth floor or above from 11 pm to 6 am from March 15th to May 31st. However, bird strikes are not restricted to buildings with at least 5 floors as there have been birds strikes with the Business Education building and the Student Center bridge on the WCC campus, for example. These strikes and many like them indicate that turning the lights out in the evening in these buildings would prevent a number of bird strikes across campus.
In addition to turning out the lights, we can also help the birds recognize the windows better. When a bird is flying at a window they do not see inside, instead they see a reflection of the sky. One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to close your curtains and blinds during the migratory season. However, some windows do not have blinds to close, such as the windows on the Student Center bridge. Right now there are some small bird decals on the windows of the bridge, which can work, but bird strikes are still happening. Other solutions are to add hanging cords or dot patterns.
Three things you can do from March 15-May 31 and also from August 15-November 15 include:
- turn off all exterior lights from 11 PM-6 AM
- draw curtains at night or close your blinds
- add hanging cords, vinyl dots, or bird silhouettes on the outside of your windows (can be purchased or DIY)
If you’re interested in learning more, you can connect with local environmental groups, bird-watching societies, or conservation organizations in the area. They can provide you with more information on how to get involved and support bird-friendly practices.
Tags: Sustainability