Birds cannot detect glass as a barrier.  Instead, they may just see a reflection of greenery and blue sky and they will proceed to fly through it. Artificial light can make the problem worse by disorienting birds. Many birds die on impact. Survivors require prompt medical attention in order to recover. 

Here in Jersey City, the threat to birds has increased as rapid construction development and multi-story buildings dominate the skyline in the bird flyways.

But there are ways we can reduce the risk to birds.  

One important way is to introduce a new building construction design standard incorporating bird-friendly glass and other measures. (We are working towards this!) Secondly, existing buildings can make modifications to dramatically reduce bird injuries and deaths through readily available solutions, including the use of window films and decals that help birds detect and avoid windows. 

This April and May during peak migration, For the Birds, an advocacy group that unites members of Jersey City Birds and Feminist Bird Club Jersey City along with other community volunteers, will perform a scientific study to collect window strike data on the waterfront and Journal Square. Volunteers will monitor two known collision hot spots (one around Journal Square, the second around the waterfront) to identify which buildings would benefit from using window films and other deterrents.

We hope that some of these buildings will be encouraged to take steps that would help reduce bird deaths. Collisions typically happen only within the first few stories of a building. Research and case studies conclude that applying window film to targeted areas can have an instant, positive effect.

For the Birds is consulting with the American Bird Conservancy, NYC Bird Alliance, and New Jersey Audubon to determine best practices for monitoring, data collection and advocacy in general.

How YOU can help:

We need volunteers to help us monitor collision sites over a two-week period, from April 28-May 10. Volunteers will work in pairs, walking around the designated sites in the early morning (sometime between 6 am and 8 am) and documenting any injured or dead birds they find. We will provide all instruction and equipment, including maps, survey sheets, gloves, and bags to transport injured birds. We will collect any injured birds and bring them to wildlife rehab centers. 

You may volunteer as many or as few days as you wish. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also volunteer as a ‘floater’ who is available to fill in if other volunteers become unavailable. We will offer a modest stipend to volunteers for their time. 

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Some familiarity with common birds is preferable but you do not need to be an expert—we will ID species from photographs.

This data will be used in our advocacy work to pinpoint collision hotspots and work with buildings to reduce bird strikes. Fill in our form here and we will contact you.