After the efforts taken by the art and ornithology clubs last year to prevent bird strikes from impacting our buildings, there are still instances where this occurs. FGCU’s Ornithology Club is making it its mission to focus on taking steps to end bird strikes on campus. 

“Long story short, [they’re] windows for birds, they don’t see them the same way that we do,” said FGCU Ornithology Club President Mercedes Roesler. “They’ll see the reflection of an environment that is actually behind them, but it’s reflecting into the glass. They don’t realize that there’s a barrier there because they can’t see it, so they’ll fly full speed into the glass.” 

The birds that hit the windows will likely either die on impact or they will fly away and die later from internal injuries. If the body isn’t found within 24 hours, animals like rats or bugs will likely eat it, attracting pests to campus buildings.

“We’re looking right now with the existing buildings to retrofit the windows with vinyl stickers or something that we can put over the existing glass,” said Roesler. 

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The recommended solution for bird strikes is to place a 2×2 grid of dots on windows to break up the reflection so birds can see the barrier. However, it could be expensive to replace all the current windows, especially given the need to replace them every few years.

“On new buildings, I mean, you’re looking at less than 1% of the total cost of the building to change the windows from normal glass to extra glass. And the extra glass would be permanent,” said Anthony Dues, the vice president of the Ornithology Club.

Window dots are not very noticeable to people from just 10 feet away, but to birds, they make a difference. By reporting bird strikes and adding these dots, we can prevent bird deaths, be more environmentally responsible, and reduce pests near buildings.

“Our work in doing the surveys and finding the birds is helping us with bolstering projects,” Roesler said. “It would give us permission for projects like installing window dots.” 

There are a few things students can do to help prevent bird strikes on campus. If a student doesn’t happen to see a bird strike, they can also contact administration directly to advocate for bird-safe design. 

“There’s also plenty of ways that you can try and protect birds at your home, like putting up stickers on your windows and stuff like that. And even just one house makes a difference in a whole neighborhood,” FGCU Ornithology Club Secretary Sequoia Lipman said. “A lot of people are hesitant to put up the bird dots and things like that, because they think it’s going to be an eyesore. Like, they think that you’re not going to be able to see out of the window or things like that. But honestly, I think it’s beautiful.” 

If students see a dead or injured bird, take a picture and report it to the ornithology club. They can be contacted through Instagram, email [email protected], and by text or call at (941) 564-9256.