Photo: Bird crash preventer, American Bird Conservancy

Instructors: Peter Saenger and Leigh Altadonna
When: Thursday, March 19. 7:00pm
Where: VIRTUAL
Cost: Free

Bird crash preventer, American Bird Conservancy

How to Help Birds Avoid Window Collisions

Collisions with windows are the third greatest cause of death for birds in the United States (after habitat loss and predation by outdoor cats).  Peer--reviewed conservative research estimates that about one million birds collide with windows every day—the annual estimate is 365-988 million. 

To learn about this threat and how to help mitigate it at your home, Reston Association and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia have invited Peter Saenger, President of Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, and Leigh Altadonna, President of the Wyncote Audubon Society to speak via webinar at 7 PM on March 19.  They lead a Pennsylvania-based Bird-Window Collision Working Group that includes the Acopian Center at Muhlenberg College, Audubon Pennsylvania, and the Lehigh Valley and Wyncote Audubon Societies and have developed a “Bird-Window Collision Toolkit” which is being used by other Audubon groups.  

For background on the situation with birds in Reston, see the Birds chapter in the Reston Annual State of the Environment Report.   

Addressing Bird Mortality from Collision with Glass

Peer-reviewed, conservative, published research estimates that a minimum average of one million birds collide with windows in the USA daily; 365 - 988 million annually. Our Bird-window Collision Working Group (BCWG) proposes an outreach program to reduce avian mortality at residential and low-rise buildings. The BCWG includes the Acopian Center at Muhlenberg College, Audubon Pennsylvania, and the Lehigh Valley and Wyncote Audubon Societies. Trained volunteers will educate people about the causes and patterns of collisions and ways they can be prevented. The program will provide a means to share stories of successful mitigations they have completed with others through social media and the Audubon website. A portal to collect data on each individual’s actions will be key part of the engagement and recognition strategy. The project will provide a path to move individuals from personal action to collective community action in conjunction with Audubon Bird Towns and Environmental Advisory Committees. 

Peter Saenger, President of Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, and Leigh Altadonna, President of the Wyncote Audubon Society will provide this “Bird Collision” program. The program will feature a PowerPoint, handouts and broad opportunity for questions and discussion.