Forty two million — that is the number of birds killed every year in Canada, according to a study published in Environment Canada. And, across North America, the estimated number of migratory birds killed is over 100 million. “Birds getting injured or dying after colliding with glass windows, walls, power lines, and other man-made structures has always been a topic of deep concern. But, there is hardly any data on ‘bird-building collisions’ in India,” says Mittal Gala, Programme Co-ordinator of Bird Count India, an organisation that promotes bird listing, documentation and monitoring in India.
Bird Count India has now partnered with a citizen science initiative called Global Bird Rescue (GBR) for a week long campaign (from September 30 to October 6) to document bird-building collisions across the country. “Bird watchers do raise a concern when they see a dead bird or one that collided with glass. Most of the time when the birds see a reflection of a tree on a glass they mistake it for their habitat and collide with it and die. The campaign documents such collisions and builds awareness,” explains Mittal.
- This is a week-long campaign from September 30 to October 6
- You can participate as an individual, but it is encouraged to work as a team to survey buildings in your area during the
- To take part as an individual, register with globalbirdrescue.org
- Visit: https://birdcount.in/event/global-bird-rescue-2019/
- call: +91 90242 82778
Anyone in the country can become a part of the campaign. During the week, participants have to go around the neighbourhood, and scan the ground to look for injured or dead birds. Areas in and around high rises and other man-made structures are where one may find them.
To report the location, status, and species of birds that they find injured or dead, participants can use the Global Bird Collision Mapper (GBCM) an online geo-mapping tool. They can also upload a photo of each bird they report. The mapper will show every collision reported on its interactive GIS map. The details of each bird reported can be seen by anyone who visits GBCM.
Says Mittal, “Every single observation gives the much-needed data on bird-building collisions. This will help to design better policies, and mitigation measures, to protect the birds.”
