02-02-26 Bird Building Collision Monitoring: Migratory Bird Conservation
Guest Elaine Carlson, Volunteer, Chicago Bird Collision Monitoring
Los Angeles, New York and Chicago are the biggest U.S. cities located along major migratory flyways, and the number of birds that die crashing into high-rise buildings is astonishing. These collisions are caused by the reflective and transparent qualities of glass windows that create optical illusions and extend the perceived landscape. Citizen science volunteers have been collecting data to inspire corrective action and inform city planning policy. There are simple solutions that can drastically reduce the likelihood of bird-window collisions.
Elaine Carlson is a long-time Chicago resident, having moved to the Windy City after college to pursue a theater dream. Born and raised in the Appalachian foothills of southwestern Pennsylvania, she developed a strong appreciation for wildlife. This affinity for the natural world, combined with her work in education and her (maybe slightly over-developed) sense of team spirit, made her a perfect fit for a volunteer position with Chicago Bird Collision Monitors.
For the past nine years – every spring and fall – she has spent her early morning hours walking the city streets and recovering migratory birds that collide with Chicago’s downtown buildings. She has responded to hundreds of hotline calls from concerned citizens: running out of the door, net in hand, to scoop up stunned and injured birds from balconies, parking lots and city streets. Elaine has rescued well over 1,000 injured birds and documented over 1,500 fatalities. And, she has met many wonderful, like-minded people along the way. In this episode Elaine shares data, knowledge, and stories to help more people become informed.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BIRD MONITORING
Chicago Bird Collision Monitoring – https://www.birdmonitors.net/
NYC Bird Alliance Safe Flight – https://nycbirdalliance.org/our-work/conservation/project-safe-flight
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Bird Monitoring – https://asri.org/report-bird-strikes/action.html
Bird Collisions Prevention Alliance – https://www.stopbirdcollisions.org/about-us/
Real time data on bird numbers, flight directions, speeds and altitudes –https://birdcast.info/
Window Solutions – https://abcbirds.org/strategies/solutions-for-homes/
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