Bird Strike Migration Project for Sustainability Exchange, Washington University in St. Louis, Spring 202

Kacvinsky, Jonathan

Pensiero, Sam

Tafoya, Landon

Washington University in St. Louis, Lizzy

Watson, Reid

English

Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship

Bird Strike MitigationLizzy Diaz, Jonathan Kacvinsky, Sam Pensiero,Landon Tafoya, Reid WatsonBackgroundWhy we careState of campusSt. Louis ZooSummary of solutionsNext stepsRoadmap● Birds are unable to recognize windows● Reflections further confuse birds○ Windows that reflect plants can be especially dangerous● Migratory season peaks in May and SeptemberWhy Birds StrikeWhy We Care● Birds play an essential role in maintaining ecosystems○ They spread seeds and pollen which maintains plant biodiversity○ Control pest populations● St. Louis is the 5th worst city for bird strikes (Cornell, 2019)● Endangered birds use the Mississippi Flyway○ Most of the bird strikes are from migration○ 19 reported species are protected underMigratory Bird Treaty Act● Preventing unnecessary deaths of birds on campus○ Have recorded 79 strikes on campus with 31 species since Fall 2019MISSISSIPPIFLYWAY● Newer, majority-glass developments○ Hillman, Sumers, Kemper● 79 strikes total (undercounted)○ Will continue until something is doneWhere Birds StrikeMcDonnell Hall Archway● Exceptions○ McDonnellEffective Solutions on CampusFritted windows on Sumers Welcome Center and Schnuck Pavilion are highly effective○ Northern side of Sumers was left untreated for an unobstructed view of campus, resulting in 6 strikes from 2019-presentThe St. Louis Zoo has been monitoring bird strikes since 2017. They have  applied deterrents such as stripes, dots, and custom patterns.These windows are accompanied by interpretive signs to explain the intention of the deterrent and to promote public awareness. Effective Solutions at the St. Louis ZooEffectiveness of Mitigation at the St. Louis Zoo2016 OANC 4/1/2021 Polar Bear Point, dots4/1/2021 Grizzly Ridge, dots9/1/2018 South Exit, dots8/1/2018, Tasmanian Devil, dotsSummary of SolutionsAdhesive Dots● LEED performance rated to be 98% effective (earns LEED credit #55)● Durable (proven @ STL Zoo)● Minimal aesthetic effect (2x2 or 2x4)● est. $4.50 / square footEffective, durable, LEED certified, and minimally hinder visibilityAdhesive Stripes● STL Zoo - 90-100% effectiveness● Little to no degradation at low traffic areas after 10 years● est. $6.36 / square footAlso effective, just a different patternSurface Abrasion/Etching● Permanent treatment - no durability concerns● Matches fritting (e.g., Sumers)● Intricate and custom patterns, architectural● expensive; est. ~ $40-150 / sq. ft.Effective, permanent, and matches existing fritting, but expensiveBlinds● High-Activity Hours: 10PM-6AM● Data on lowering blinds on campus has been inconclusive - might help but not a solutionInstalling/lowering blinds during high-risk hours could help, but won’t solve the problemEfficacy: HighCompiled efficacies for known/tested solutionsAdhesive Dots or Stripeswith 2” spacingGlass FrittingGlass EtchingEfficacy: Low or InconclusiveLowering Blinds: InconclusiveUV Glass: LowTested at STL Zoo, still observed consistent strikes following application● Not intrusive on visibility● Other universities starting to follow (e.g., Northwestern)Dots already installed at other universities“A Bird-Friendlier Campus”- Audubon of PennsylvaniaNext Steps● Hillman, Sumers, McDonnell, Knight Center, Busch Lab○ Dots, stripes, etching● Lower blinds where possible during migration seasons○ 10pm-6am○ September and May● Add interpretive signsMitigate Existing Issues● Actions like those at the East End should be the standard - they’re great!● Tall, reflective buildings are a large threat to birds○ Especially below 7-9 stories● Resources available for specifics of Bird-Friendly Building Design, e.g., by American Bird Conservancy and NYC AudubonUpdate Building Design Standards Consequences of Ignoring Bird Strikes● Negative PR following strikes● Reputational risk● Failure to proactively mitigate striking may result in higher costsOpportunity● Position WashU as a leader in sustainability● Act as a market mover● Points toward LEED certification● Make WashU a more biodiversity- and bird-friendly campusThank you for your time!Referenceshttps://www.collidescape.org/online-store/2-x2-Repeating-Dot-Pattern-1-25-wide-rolls-16-p175135737https://d2j6dbq0eux0bg.cloudfront.net/images/12743275/1921084472.jpghttps://cdn2.webdamdb.com/1280_cw2RNJURKVC7.jpg?1586804136https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Viracon-1C-Full.jpghttps://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/harmony-1.jpghttps://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/etch-dots-2.pnghttps://www.walkerglass.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/oakland-university-satin-velour-and-opaque-low-e-1-featured.jpghttps://www.walkerglass.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/university-of-pennsylvania-starphire-nuance-custom-velour-stripes-5-1.jpghttps://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/UBC-Tan-1.pnghttps://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-xyb1h6xi/images/stencil/500x659/products/76/278/IMG_2287__06959.1559350564.jpg?c=2https://www.urbanwildlifetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/marker02.jpghttps://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/why-birds-hit-glass/#:~:text=So%20why%20can't%20birds,glass%20is%20undetectable%20for%20them.https://pa.audubon.org/sites/default/files/styles/bean_wysiwyg_full_width/public/img_2510_rotated.jpg?itok=buJmjLRphttps://pa.audubon.org/news/bird-friendlier-campus

Bird Strike Mitigation, Spring 2021

https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&amp;context=sustainabilityexchange

Bird Strike Mitigation, Spring 2021

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Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship