We are a group of faculty, staff, and students who wish to prevent bird deaths on campus due to collisions with buildings, and promote safety for and conservation of birds in other ways. We work in partnership with units on campus as well as community-based organizations such as Detroit Audubon and Detroit Zoological Society.
Here, we will post relevant articles and information on campus and community activities. Activities include developing and implementing awareness campaigns, data collection, review of relevant research, compilation of local and state policies, and anti-collision glass treatments. Write birds@wayne.edu, if you are interested in participating in these and related activities.
Meanwhile, if you see a dead bird on campus, please write birds@wayne.edu with information on date and time and approximate location (e.g. east wall of Mort Harris, near ventilation system). If possible, take a picture on your mobile and attach to your email. Leave the bird where you found it.
The number of birds has declined almost 30 percent since 1970, or three billion, including such common species as sparrows, robins, and blue jays. Read more about the dire conditions facing birds, due to human-induced changes, in recent articles in Science and the New York Times.
For more information, write birds@wayne.edu
Hello,
I volunteered with Safe Passage in 2017 through Detroit Audubon. I’m not connected to WSU in any way, but excited to see your site. I’m interested in more local awareness and communication. Also concerned about new construction and renovation. Are there any local or state regulations related to bird safe glass? For instance, an article shows the Bonstelle Theatre being renovated and connected to a new hotel via a conservancy which is pictured as a glass building with lights and plants inside. Have they considered bird safe glass? I tend to assume someone else knows and has taken responsible action.
It would be great to be in touch with your group about this or any related issues and on your progress to make the campus more safe for birds.
Thanks!
Hi Mary, Thank you for your note, and for volunteering with Safe Passage! We are also concerned about bird safety with new construction and existing buildings. I met earlier this year with our WSU Facilities staff about the new Theater designs. Yes, the building has glass facades, including an East-facing one; when we talked they were not considering bird safe glass. The plan apparently is to have large video monitor displays in the atrium inside to announce upcoming events and performances, etc., and the argument made by staff was that the information needed to be visible to passers-by outside. I left a bunch of information about possible solutions for bird safe glass but am not optimistic that they will be adopted given where they were in the implementation process at the time. I hope too that the monitors will be turned off at a reasonable time after dark or they will pose additional risks to birds. I encourage you to write with your concerns to Matt Seeger, Dean of the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts, at matthew.seeger@wayne.edu. He is an avid birder! I will be sure to post updates as and when I have them.