This deserves it's own topic!!!

[Donna]

Dead Birds Issue Going To Court Next Month
March 10, 2011 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
From THE TORONTO STAR
Curtis Rush Staff Reporter

For years, a volunteer group has been trying to get the message out about the migratory birds who die by slamming into the reflective glass of Toronto office buildings each year.

On Wednesday, they took this message to the Royal Ontario Museum, where they laid out close to 2,000 dead migratory birds on a canvas for the public to see.

And next month, they hope the message is further driven home in a Scarborough courtroom.

On April 7, the managers of The Consilium Place office towers in Scarborough will have to answer to charges under the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“This could be a precedent-setting case and a conviction could send a message to other businesses,� said Albert Koehl, a lawyer for Ecojustice, which has brought the private charges.

The trial is expected to last six days and fines could be substantial, Koehl said. In addition, a provision could be made to order changes to the glass structure thought to be a prime killer of migratory birds.

The towers, near Highway 401 and McCowan Rd., are covered in mirrored glass and are as high as 17 storeys.

In 2008-2009, more than 800 birds were recovered from the lawns around the complex.

Michael Mesure, 47, executive director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program, said he’s frustrated that existing buildings in Toronto are not being mandated to make design changes to protect birds.

Under the city’s bird-friendly guidelines, new buildings must meet certain performance standards that involve muting reflections and treating glass with density patterns.

The executive director of FLAP said simple adjustments such as visual markings on glass windows can help give birds an alternative point of focus.

At the ROM on Wednesday, spectators watched as volunteers laid down the carcasses of migratory birds — everything from birds of prey to small song birds.

“It breaks my heart,� said Kathy Nosich, who works in the biodiversity program for Ontario Power Generation.

She said the display of birds who met their fate by colliding with glass structures brings home the message.

“Nothing tells this story better,� she said.

Mesure, who began FLAP in 1993, says many people remain “in denial� about the problem of dead birds because they don’t see carcasses lying on the streets and don’t realize the ecological benefits of making sure they survive.

“They eat thousands of insects,� he said.

Staff volunteers like Brian Armstrong, who sold his legal practice several years ago, begin patrols throughout the financial district at 4 a.m., collecting injured and dead birds.

The injured birds are taken to the Toronto Wildlife Centre if the gulls haven’t swooped down and taken them away first.

The migratory bird season begins in a few weeks and runs to June.

Those are large numbers! OMG!!

[BIGFRANK]

This is not the building in question,however it gives a perfect example of why we should care. Is it any wonder in day time birds slam into this building,let alone night time?

FLAP(fatal light awareness program) is a great organization,a few of their members join CPF to help each fledge season.
http://www.winkflash.com/photo/imagew2.aspx?p=1&c=4132748&i=155171102&z=0

[Donna]

Pic to go with the article.

This is terrible BigFrank!!!

[Annette]

Pic to go with the article.

This is terrible BigFrank!!!

So sad.   

[Kris G.]

Very sad for all those birds.   

[MAK]

This is just 1 building!!! 

[Donna]

Spotted at 33 Yonge St. Toronto (pun most definitely intended)- this large set of windows has been covered with visual markers. In fact, when speaking with one of the security guard there just days after it was applied, he was thrilled to report he watched a dark bird fly directly towards the glass and at 5-10 feet away suddenly veer off. This has been a typically bad spot for many chickadees in the past and we are especially grateful that it has been installed in time for when peak migration happens here for us - usually last week of September and into the first week or two of October. Just ask Leesa McLellan how bad it has been - she works in this building and had the heartbreaking sight of birds flying over her head and crashing into the glass. Kudos to Great West Life for taking this amazing first step. To see the dots, zoom in on the image.

  Toronto is doing good so far with the FLAP program!!   

[MAK]

Spotted at 33 Yonge St. Toronto (pun most definitely intended)- this large set of windows has been covered with visual markers. In fact, when speaking with one of the security guard there just days after it was applied, he was thrilled to report he watched a dark bird fly directly towards the glass and at 5-10 feet away suddenly veer off. This has been a typically bad spot for many chickadees in the past and we are especially grateful that it has been installed in time for when peak migration happens here for us - usually last week of September and into the first week or two of October. Just ask Leesa McLellan how bad it has been - she works in this building and had the heartbreaking sight of birds flying over her head and crashing into the glass. Kudos to Great West Life for taking this amazing first step. To see the dots, zoom in on the image.

  Toronto is doing good so far with the FLAP program!!   

 

[Donna]

GOOD NEWS: Ann B posted this on FB:

Wow! Are we excited or what? Just in time for the fall migration as well. Progress for migratory birds passing through parts of Toronto. Massive thanks to Glenn De Baeremaeker and his fellow City of Toronto councillors for approving funds to help prevent bird collisions at the Scarborough Civic Centre. Glenn is a long time supporter of FLAP and a committed nature-lover, and we applaud his initiative in taking huge steps to make the Centre bird friendly.

Making it happen!

[MAK]

Great news! Now we need the rest to follow suit!