Avoiding Bird Strikes

Bird Friendly Lions Bay offers some crystal clear advice

by Penny Nelson, Lions Bay Bird Friendly

Have you ever heard the dreaded 'thud' of a bird hitting your window?

As our migratory birds return in spring for the nesting season, birds are very active building nests and raising chicks and window strikes may increase. However, window/glass strikes can occur year-round and are a major contributor to the decline in bird populations.

In simple terms, birds can’t see glass, or they see reflected trees and greenery and think they are flying into a landscape. This is why windows on two sides of a corner or opposite each other may cause more strikes; ditto glass deck panels. We need to give birds visual cues that a barrier is present.

If you’re having bird strikes on windows or deck panels, Bird Friendly Lions Bay has samples of products you can try. Some are longer lasting and some are temporary. For example, it could be as simple as using a bar of soap to make marks on windows and deck panels that are particularly prone to strikes as a temporary option. However, there are a wide variety of attractive options available, although some products do not work.

FeatherFriendly and CollidEscape are the most effective options and are available from Wild Birds Unlimited in North Vancouver.

Other simple solutions that may work are to use exterior screens, close blinds, hang sun catchers, anything that signals to birds they cannot fly into what they perceive as a space.

To make glass visible for birds, follow these guidelines from Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada (FLAP):

1. Apply markings in a dense pattern, leaving no gaps more than 2” x 2”.

2. Apply markings to the outside surface of the glass, NOT the inside. Reflections on the outside make internal window markings invisible.

3. Markings must be of high contrast so that they stand out on the window.

4. Each marking should be no less than ¼” in diameter.

5. Markings must cover the entire surface of the glass.

Please email us at lionsbaybirdfriendly@gmail.com if you’d like samples to try. Our kit includes information on making homes safe for birds.

Thank you for caring about our birds!

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