I'm a volunteer for Lights Out Baltimore, a project of the Baltimore Bird Club dedicated to helping to prevent migratory bird fatalities in urban environments. Frank Roylance's piece "Dead birds signal arrival of autumn" (baltimoresun.com, Oct. 6) resonated with our volunteers because it cast a public spotlight on the very issue we're trying to raise awareness on.
Mr. Roylance explained the issue clearly, and while the problem of window-kills is relevant year-round in any type of habitat, the author is correct in assuming that the increased amount of avian casualties downtown is due to migration.
When birds migrate, many of them fly at night; by the time they reach urban/city environments, they are so used to flying in darkness that the lights left on overnight hypnotize them. This "hypnosis" causes them to fly in circles, get thrown off-course and eventually succumb to exhaustion. Many try to fly into buildings that have lights left on overnight, unable to discern clear glass and assuming that a safe haven lies inside.
Those birds that aren't killed on impact usually drop to the ground, stunned and/or injured with head trauma, becoming easy prey for rats, feral cats and gulls.
Dr. Daniel Klem, an ornithologist who has studied this problem for over 35 years, estimates that millions of birds are killed in this manner in the U.S. each year.
The issue is far greater than most people realize, and solutions are possible - ranging from placing stickers on reflective glass to using fritted glass instead of clear plates to turning lights off in buildings overnight. The third suggestion not only protects birds but also saves energy and money. We have found fewer kills at several buildings that recently began ceasing the use of excessive lighting during non-operational hours.
I hope the issue receives more attention in the future because it truly is a bigger issue than most people realize and the second largest manmade cause of bird mortality in the world. If you have windows in your home that kill birds, use one of the techniques above to reduce bird strikes and tell the window manufacturer you would like a window that comes with bird-safe properties so that a retrofit is not required. If you find an injured bird, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. Tim Carney, Towson
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