Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) announces a series of workshops to support Bird-Friendly Homes throughout their Chapter Region. The workshops will focus on helping homeowners make Acopian BirdSavers window treatments for up to three windows in their homes (for free while funding lasts) in order to reduce bird-window collisions at homes throughout our communities.
It is estimated that over 1 billion birds die as a result of window collisions each year in North America with 99% of these occurring at residential and low-rise buildings. It is considered to be the third highest cause of bird mortality, following habitat loss and predation by domestic cats.
- Up to 50% of bird-window collisions leave no evidence at all.
- Many of the birds that fly away are likely to die later of their injuries.
- Birds most often suffer concussions and internal injuries which can take days to kill them.
- If a collision kills a parent bird, the young will most likely also die.
This is all preventable if people take action at their own homes.
According to DOAS Co-President, Andy Mason, “There’s not a lot we can do as individuals to directly help birds, but preventing window collisions is a hands-on way to save their lives.”
A special program to overview this issue for birds is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 7:30pm on Zoom – Register at https://mobilize.us/s/4Mcrr7 .
Homeowners in our communities are invited to attend one of the area workshops where they can learn more and make/take home Acopian BirdSaver window treatments for up to three windows at their residences to help prevent collisions. Pre-registration is required so that ample materials can be available.
Susan O’Handley, DOAS Education Chair, is coordinating these programs and states, “We are very grateful to each of our host locations and our student assistant groups for their enthusiastic response to help with these workshops. We are working on this issue collaboratively with other chapters throughout NY and CT this year and I’m excited at the prospect of meaningful reduction in bird deaths as a result.”
SPRING BIRD-FRIENDLY WINDOWS WORKSHOPS
REGISTER TODAY!
March 22 in Sidney, NY
Register at https://mobilize.us/s/VsIj0s
11am-1pm at Sidney Memorial Public Library, Smart Community Room
Assisted by Binghamton University Audubon Society Campus Chapter
March 29 Oneonta, NY
Register at https://mobilize.us/s/CWnZp2
11am – 1pm at Southside Mall, Oneonta, NY
Assisted by SUNY Oneonta Environmental Science Club
April 12 Cobleskill, NY
Register at https://mobilize.us/s/KiXz8H
10am-12pm at SUNY Cobleskill Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources
Assisted by SUNY Cobleskill Wildlife Society
April 26 at Earth Festival, Milford, NY
Register at https://mobilize.us/s/bh0wyu
10am-3pm at Milford Central School
Assisted by Hartwick College FORCES (Environmental Sustainability Club)
May 3 Delhi, NY
Register at https://mobilize.us/s/tJJqjN
10am-12pm at SUNY Delhi
Assisted by SUNY Delhi Sustainability Club
Paracord material that is used to make Acopian BirdSavers requires pre-soak and drying to prevent shrinking. DOAS is grateful for the assistance of Amy Parr and students at Cooperstown Central School for their help in this process.
For those who prefer to use Feather Friendly dots for their windows instead of the Acopian BirdSavers method, there will be an option to special order those materials after registration. You can order a 100 foot roll of single strip markers for small projects or 150 foot x 3 inch roll for medium sized projects. These materials are also available to order for larger window projects (150 foot roll x 3 foot) for businesses and community buildings.
Feather Friendly product – Left to right below: 100 foot roll; 150 foot x 3 inch roll; 150 foot x 3 foot roll;
Contact Susan O’Handley at s.ohandley@doas.us or by phone at 607-397-3815 (leave a message) for more information or if you have any questions.
The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy. We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected.
These workshops are made possible through a 2025 Collaborative Grant from National Audubon Society and through donations that are collected through the events.
