Bird City Wisconsin

Background


In August 2011 Middleton was recognized as a "Bird City" by the Bird City Wisconsin project. The program is modeled after the Arbor Day Foundation's "Tree City USA" program with the following goal: 

To encourage all communities in Wisconsin to implement sound bird conservation practices by offering public recognition to those that succeed in (a) enhancing the environment for birds and (b) educating the public about the interactions between birds and people and about the contributions birds make to a healthy community.
 
In order to become a "Bird City" communities need to demonstrate in a written application that they have met at least seven of 22 criteria within these four categories:

  • Category 1: Creation and Protection of Habitat
  • Category 2: Participation in Programs Promoting Effective Community Forest Management
  • Category 3: Limiting or Removing Hazards to Birds
  • Category 4: Public Education
  1. window strike protection

The Issue

Collision with glass is believed to be one of the principal man-made causes of death for birds in North America. It is estimated that between 300 million and 1 billion birds are killed annually in North America by collisions with buildings – primarily by striking windows. Last year alone the Wisconsin Humane Society admitted more than 200 birds who were involved in window collisions.

Birds simply cannot tell the difference between reflection and reality.

Solutions

Make the glass visible to birds. One way to achieve this is to apply something to the window to provide contrast. ABC Birdtape is one such product.

  1. free roaming cat control