Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Early in the morning, a group of dedicated volunteers from a Toronto-based NGO known as the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada can be seen combing through the bustling streets of downtown Toronto. Their mission? To prevent migratory birds from colliding with windows and suffering fatal injuries. These volunteers diligently search for any birds that may have fallen to the ground after striking windows during the spring and fall migrations.
The Issue at Hand
It is estimated that a staggering 15-30 million birds in Canada meet their demise each year as a result of window collisions. The decline in migratory bird populations over the past five decades has been alarming, with window collisions being identified as a major contributing factor. However, reducing these collisions requires the cooperation of building owners who must make changes to their glass surfaces to make them less hazardous to birds.
NGOs like FLAP face a crucial decision in their approach – should they confront stakeholders or collaborate with them? Each approach has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. While drawing attention to responsible parties through the media can raise awareness and potentially prompt action, aggressive tactics may hinder opportunities for collaborative solutions. On the other hand, working hand in hand with stakeholders can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes, but it may also dilute the NGO’s core objectives.
The FLAP Approach
FLAP has been at the forefront of bird rescue and advocacy efforts for over three decades. They have been tirelessly working to assist birds that have collided with windows while advocating for meaningful changes to mitigate the risks posed by these structures. Birds often fail to see windows or mistake reflections for open spaces, leading to fatal collisions.
Despite the delicate balance between advocacy and collaboration, FLAP has prioritised raising general awareness about the widespread issue of bird collisions due to windows. Their annual public display of collected bird carcasses serves as a stark reminder of the toll these collisions take on bird populations. In 2023, a total of 4023 dead birds were showcased in the layout, each representing a tragic loss.
Collaboration and Progress
FLAP has actively engaged with municipal and commercial stakeholders to develop best practices for reducing bird-window collisions. These efforts have culminated in the incorporation of bird-friendly guidelines into the Toronto Green Standard, which outlines building specifications aimed at minimising bird collisions. Measures such as applying markers to windows and reducing artificial lighting have been instrumental in safeguarding bird populations.
While FLAP primarily adopts a collaborative approach, there have been instances where more assertive actions were deemed necessary. Ecojustice, an environmental law NGO, utilised FLAP’s collision data to initiate legal action against building owners with high collision rates. The legal battles resulted in significant changes being made to windows to reduce bird collisions.
Lessons Learned
FLAP’s emphasis on collaboration has allowed them to create a comprehensive dataset on bird collisions, leading to policy changes and retrofitting efforts in older buildings. Visual representations, such as the annual bird layout, have been instrumental in conveying the magnitude of the issue and mobilising public support. Additionally, strong data and visual evidence have attracted allies who have taken more direct approaches to address bird collisions.
As FLAP volunteers gear up for another migratory season in Toronto and other cities, the collective efforts to protect birds from window collisions continue. The ongoing collaboration between NGOs, stakeholders, and advocates underscores the importance of working together to safeguard our avian friends as they navigate their seasonal journeys.
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