Tuesday, August 25, 2009
For Immediate Release
Angela Speed, (414) 431-6104
aspeed@wihumane.org

Wisconsin Humane Society & Milwaukee County Parks Announce Partnership to Prevent Bird Deaths During Fall Migration

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) and the Milwaukee County Parks Department are announcing a partnership on a new campaign to prevent migratory birds from being injured or killed from crashing into parks’ building windows.

Up to one billion birds die every year in North America due to window collisions, but many deaths can be prevented by applying WindowAlert clings to windows. WHS is supplying the parks with free WindowAlert clings, courtesy of the Jeff Rusinow Family Foundation.

"We see hundreds of birds injured or killed in window collisions brought into the shelter each year," said Scott Diehl, Wildlife Manager at the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

"Birds crash into windows because they see the landscape reflected in the window, or they see through a building that has windows on opposite sides, creating a pathway the bird assumes is open." Diehl explained. "The clings are visual markers, alerting the birds to steer clear."

Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black sees the initiative as a win-win for both organizations. "Our county workers have reported dead birds below some county parks building windows," she said, "and we welcome this plan to help save songbirds. Visitors to our outstanding park system appreciate wildlife and we want to be good stewards of our environment."

WindowAlert clings are also available for sale at the Wisconsin Humane Society. Please visit www.wihumane.org/wildlife to purchase WindowAlerts and read more suggestions on saving wild birds from collisions with windows at your home or workplace.

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