Around the Block: 4/1/2022

Bird collisions may not seem like a big deal. I used to think there were only a few bird collisions here and there. Actually, the numbers are staggering. They are hard to believe, but they are true.

The great news is that there is something easy to do to help. It takes zero time and will actually save you money. And it is part of a nationwide effort to help save birds. It is Lights Out Philly, which I will discuss in detail below.

But first, please consider this:

1. Up to One Billion birds are killed in the United States each year due to collisions with man-made structures, including high-rise buildings and residential homes. It is impossible to know the exact number, of course; however, a detailed 2014 study published in The Condor definitively determined that between 365,000,000 and 988,000,000 birds are killed by colliding with buildings every year, and the number likely exceeds 600,000,000. Whether we are talking about a billion or half a billion, the numbers are shockingly high. And consider this is just in the US. Worldwide, the numbers are in the billions.

2. When a bird is killed, it affects the ongoing bird population well beyond that one deceased bird. For example, mourning doves are seasonally monogamous, they lay two eggs per clutch, and generate up to six hatchings per year. So, if one mourning dove is killed by hitting a window, it could mean up to a dozen offspring that are not born that year.

3. I used to think that glass-plated skyscrapers were the predominant perpetrator of bird collisions. Actually, low-rise residences are involved in more than half of all bird-collision deaths. This brings me to Lights Out Philly, as I discuss below.

“Bird Safe Philly is a partnership led by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Delaware Valley Ornithological Club, National Audubon Society, Valley Forge Audubon Society, and Wyncote Audubon Society.

The partnership is designed to help protect native birds in the Philadelphia area from a variety of issues that can harm them in urban areas, especially issues that can cause birds to collide with buildings and other human-made structures. Bird Safe Philly was created in response to a mass collision event that occurred on October 2, 2020, in which thousands of migratory birds died after colliding with buildings in Center City Philadelphia.” [From https://www.birdsafephilly.org/ ]

Bird Safe Philly works on multiple initiatives, including collision monitoring and helping to provide solutions to prevent collisions. Some solutions involve using certain types of glass in homes and buildings and treating windows in various ways to help prevent collisions. I find this subject really fascinating, so I will discuss some of these initiatives in future ATBs.

Today I want to talk about one of Bird Safe Philly’s signature initiatives, which is super easy to do, can make a big difference, and just happens to Start Today! Lights Out Philly is a semi-annual event that takes place during the spring and fall bird migrations (April 1-May 31 & August 15-November 15).

Here is some information from the Lights Out Philly webpage:

Why Lights Out? “Each year, tens of million birds pass through Philadelphia during the spring and fall migration. Unfortunately, many are killed when they fly into buildings, confused by artificial lights at night or by reflective or transparent glass surfaces. Artificial lights at night can attract birds migrating at night to buildings and ultimately cause them to collide with other parts of the buildings associated with the lights.”

What is Lights Out? It is really easy, non-intrusive, and straightforward. Turn off all unnecessary lights in your home, condo, or apartment between midnight and 6 am. Block as many other lights as possible with window treatments. That is it. And if you always have your lights off anyway, you can still sign up. Maybe turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting. The commercial and residential sign-ups are all on the Lights Out Philly webpage, as well as this fact sheet and FAQs for tenants and homeowners.

If you want to participate, please sign up. And it would be awesome if you replied to this email and let me know that you did.

And here is an article from Inquirer.com about Philly’s skyline going mostly dark starting tonight.

I love the spring and fall migrations because it is obviously not all about bird collisions. It is about the joys of having those tens of millions of birds pass through Philly! Next week I will talk about the wonders of spring migration and some great places to go check out birds.

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff