Last Wednesday, a volunteer-based organization in the Greater Toronto Area discovered over 300 birds that had collided with windows. Unfortunately, most of the birds did not survive the collisions. Michael Mesure, the executive director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), emphasized that the issue is easily solvable but lacks sufficient motivation for necessary changes. Mesure, during a bird-patrol session in Markham, found 20 birds near a single building, with only one bird surviving, carefully placed in a paper bag for transport to a rehabilitation center.
According to Mesure, the high mortality rate among birds is tragic, especially during migration seasons. Despite Toronto’s regulations mandating collision deterrence on specific new constructions since 2022, most residential and existing buildings are not subject to these rules. A recent evaluation revealed that the enforcement of these standards is lacking, with no buildings in compliance within the city.
To address the problem effectively, Mesure stressed the importance of enforcing guidelines and retrofitting buildings to prevent bird collisions. Reflective windows in buildings under 20 meters tall, mirroring nearby greenery, pose the greatest threat to birds. Implementing visible patterns or opaque designs on windows can significantly reduce collisions by helping birds differentiate between reflections and actual foliage.
Although FLAP identifies buildings with high bird mortality rates, encouraging building owners to retrofit windows remains a challenge due to the associated costs. Autumn Jordan, who coordinates the bird-friendly cities program, highlighted the need for better enforcement across municipalities to enhance bird safety initiatives.
Both Toronto and Markham rely on FLAP for data collection and outreach efforts concerning existing buildings, a common practice among Canadian municipalities. However, challenges persist in data collection, including access issues on private properties during patrols. Mesure emphasized the importance of timely data collection to accurately assess the extent of the problem and advocate for necessary changes.
