Night Migrators and Artificial Light

According to noted Muhlenburg College biologist Dr. Daniel Klem, as many as 1 billion birds a year die in collisions with windows. While some attention has been given to nighttime collisions of migrating birds with large buildings such as office towers, Klem’s extensive research indicates that the vast majority of strikes and fatalities involve daytime encounters with all manner of glass windows. Thus far, prevention of these collisions involves either providing a pattern on at least 80% of the window surface, or adding a window film with a 50% reduction in visible light transmission (which affects solar gain and appearance, and lasts only about 10 years). Klem and the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP – www.flap.org) are appealing to both the architectural design community and glass technologists to team up with biologists on developing workable and effective solutions.