Up to one billion birds die each year across North America by colliding with glass windows, bus shelters, balcony panels, and other clear surfaces. They do not recognize glass as a solid object, especially when the interior is illuminated at night, or when vegetation is visible in particularly reflective glass during the day.
Bird Friendly Kitchener has launched its own collision monitoring initiative so that bird team members, as well as the general public, can report window strikes using a standard protocol. FLOCK – Fatal Light Observation & Collision Kitchener. We are a FLAP trained, volunteer-led monitoring program run by Bird Friendly City Kitchener. BFCK is an official subcommittee of Waterloo Region Nature and supported by the City of Kitchener in our initiatives.
We are using the Anecdata platform for citizen science initiatives to record not only incidents involving birds, but also to assess and record buildings that have taken steps to reduce bird strikes by treating glass surfaces with collision deterrent materials. The project site includes details on survey methodology, an equipment list, and links to the Global Bird Rescue Manual.
We will relay any data collected to the Fatal Light Awareness Program's (FLAP) Global Bird Collision Map and Bird-Friendly Building Survey to help FLAP and Nature Canada in their broader initiatives.
To participate, download the Anecdata app for your phone and access the project via the links below.
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