Waxwings die in large numbers after hitting glass in Finland
A large number of waxwings migrating south have been found dead after hitting glass surfaces in the Helsinki region. Wildlife rescuers recommend measures such as not washing windows.
An unusually high number of dead birds that flew into glass surfaces have been found this autumn in the Helsinki region, the capital area of Finland, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle, as cited by the Latvian outlet NRA. Most of them are waxwings, which are migrating from the north to the south, to their wintering grounds. The situation is keeping wildlife rescue volunteers busy.
Where the birds were found
Sara Fredriksson of the Helsinki Wildlife Aid Association says that whole flocks have often been found. The newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported that dozens of birds that had hit glass structures were found near the Aino shopping centre in Espoo. Last week, an employee at the University of Helsinki's Viikki campus found as many as 150 dead birds in a glass walkway between buildings. Many waxwings have also hit high-rise buildings in the Jätkäsaari district, where the birds gather to eat rowan berries growing nearby. Dozens of birds are currently being treated at the Helsinki Metropolitan animal welfare association.
Reasons
Fredriksson explains that waxwings travel in large flocks and, unlike city birds, are not used to built-up environments. Reports that fermented rowan berries can intoxicate birds and impair their flight are contradictory, she says, and the exact effect on collisions is unknown. She adds that even if berries do intoxicate birds, a bird lying on the ground is injured and needs help.
Advice
Fredriksson would like to see more bird-friendly urban development. She recommends:
- keeping blinds closed so birds can recognise a window more easily;
- drawing patterns on glass with an ultraviolet marker, which people cannot see but birds can;
- not washing windows, since less transparent glass causes fewer collisions;
- not planting berry bushes and rowans near tall buildings with glass facades.
Relevance for Latvia
Waxwings use Latvia for wintering and as a migration stopover. Latvia has fewer glass surfaces than Finland, but the problem is possible if large transparent glass structures stand in the birds' path.
