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LIFE'S A PANE - FOR 100 MILLION BIRDS! EMBARGOED UNTIL 12 NOON MONDAY 15 MARCH 2004 Initial estimates suggest that up to 100 million birds collide with windows in the UK every year and that one-third of these birds die as a result. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is looking for volunteers to help with a new study to find which species are at greatest risk and to determine whether there are ways of minimizing the problem. Gardens are great places for birds, especially ones in which food and nesting boxes are provided. However, there are costs associated with living alongside Man, one of which is the risk colliding with glass windows. This may occur either where the sky is clearly reflected in the window or where birds can see through two windows directly opposite each other. In order to find out more about the effect that collisions may be having on garden bird populations, the BTO is running a survey, starting in April and running through to the end of August. Mike Toms of the BTO, who is coordinating the survey, said “This is a staggering number of birds being lost each year and many are of species that we know are already in trouble. We are particularly interested in reports of Song Thrushes flying into windows because this is a declining species and one for which gardens are particularly important.” How you can help: The BTO is looking for volunteers to keep a simple record of window strike incidents to help establish which species may be at greatest risk and to determine whether there are particular contributory factors (such as window type and position). To request a free recording pack, please write to Window Strikes Survey, BTO, FREEPOST, Norfolk, IP24 2BR, call 01842-750050 or email gbw@bto.org. Some facts and figures: The only information we have at the moment about the potential effects of window strikes on birds comes from the National Ringing Scheme, coordinated by the BTO. 11,000 ringed birds are reported to the BTO each year, half of which are found dead. Where the cause of death is known, 7% of Song Thrushes and 3% of House Sparrows (both of which are species of high conservation concern) had flown into windows (note 5). 34% of Sparrowhawks for which a cause of death was reported had flown into windows. Corresponding figures for other species include: Blackbird 7%, Chaffinch 20%, Greenfinch 9% and Robin 4%. Special window stickers,
known as sentinels and shaped like a bird of prey, may help to prevent
window strikes and are available in two different forms. The ‘red’
sentinel is often used where birds can see a reflection of the garden
in the window, while the ‘black’ sentinel is used where
birds can see through a room because of a window on the other side. Notes for editors 1. THIS NEWS
RELEASE IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 12 NOON MONDAY 15 MARCH 2004. 5. These figures come
from the BTO’s National Ringing Scheme and refer to ringed
birds found dead for which the finding circumstances were known.
Part of the BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the
BTO and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of English
Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for
Wales, and also on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service
in Northern Ireland. The Scheme also receives support from Duchas
the Heritage Service – National Parks and Wildlife (Ireland).
The volunteer ringers give freely of their time and expertise and
also provide a substantial part of the Scheme’s funding. Contacts Mike Toms (Garden BirdWatch
Organiser) Graham Appleton (Press
Officer) |
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