In the Greater Toronto Area, over 300 birds collided with windows last Wednesday, discovered by a volunteer organization dedicated to bird safety. Sadly, most of the birds did not survive the accidents. Michael Mesure, the Executive Director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), highlighted the simplicity of preventing such incidents but noted the lack of motivation for necessary changes.
During a recent bird-patrol session in Markham, Mesure encountered 20 birds near a single building. He carefully placed the sole surviving bird in a paper bag for transport to a rehabilitation center. Mesure expressed the challenge of aiding the injured bird and emphasized the high fatality rate among the affected birds.
While Toronto mandates collision deterrence on windows in specific new constructions since 2022, this regulation does not extend to most residential or existing buildings. Enforcement of these standards is lacking, as revealed in a recent evaluation report. Mesure stressed the importance of enforcing guidelines and retrofitting buildings to combat this ongoing issue effectively.
Bird collisions with windows have contributed to a significant decline in North American bird populations over the last 50 years. During migration seasons, like the current period, collisions tend to be more prevalent. The Global Bird Collision Mapper reported approximately 2,000 bird fatalities due to building collisions in the GTA within the last month.
FLAP volunteers document injuries and deaths of birds found during patrols and assist in transferring injured birds to rehabilitation centers. Mesure identified buildings under 20 meters tall with windows reflecting greenery as major contributors to bird collisions. Implementing visible patterns or dots on windows can help prevent such accidents.
While FLAP has identified buildings with high bird fatality rates, persuading building owners to invest in window treatments remains challenging due to the associated costs. Markham mandates collision deterrence in new construction plans and promotes awareness of bird-safe glass on private properties. Toronto holds a “bird-friendly city” certification, focusing on environmental protection and community outreach.
Enforcement of bird safety measures remains a common challenge among municipalities, including Toronto and Markham. FLAP faces obstacles in collecting accurate data, often encountering resistance from private property owners during patrols. Lack of comprehensive data complicates advocacy efforts for necessary changes in bird safety measures.
