Modern architecture maybe very appealing to look at but these new multi-layered glass buildings which are springing up like mushrooms in a pine forest after a rainfall are a clarion call to death for many of our winged brethren, especially during spring and fall migration seasons.
Simple devices such as a repetitive ringed circles attached to the windows reduces crashes and fatalities by nearly 80%. Basically any attached glass surface mount, which defers a bird’s perspective of thinking that the trees reflected in the windows are a safe haven, helps reduce sudden impact fatalities. Small etched glass surfaces (dots), and decoy birds of prey off balconies or roof tops also help mitigate crashes.
Further, this Halloween any superheroes wanting to don their capes and daringly dangle from high buildings will also deter any incoming birds. How
you deal with the local constabulary is quite another matter!
This weekend’s NY Times has a full article citing more specific ideas, statistics, and repeat offenders in terms on non-compliance. Ironically, Charlie Ballie’s (noted ornithologist) old bank has been rather tardy and less than contrite in mitigating SID’s. Finding >500 dead birds on any given morning is hardly a comforting situation during migration season. TD Bank claims that their aesthetic concerns of designer Mies van der Rohe supersede the welfare of our quickly disappearing domestic avians.
Please feel free to contact FLAP if, on your stroll to work, you stumble
upon one of the near 9 million birds that meet an unnecessary, abrupt end
while migrating this fall or next spring. So during your next walk downtown,
don’t look up, look down, and see if you can save a soul.