As a biology student at the University of Ottawa, I had the opportunity to volunteer through my conservation biology course. Several choices were offered to me, but I chose to join the Bird-Safe Campus team. I was immediately interested in joining this team due to the fact that we were going to undertake projects that will aim to raise people’s awareness of the environment and to promote the protection of avian fauna. I was also interested in field work, such as patrolling buildings on campus.
Early in my experience as a team member, I had to educate myself on the importance and causes of bird collisions on glass windows in Ottawa and across Canada. Having never heard of the Safe Wings initiative, I was shocked to learn that bird collisions were such a big problem. Indeed, since dead birds are regularly picked up around buildings by scavengers and janitors, people do not see the real danger of glass windows on buildings. It was then that I realized that actions should be taken to reduce collision rates. To do this, we had to organize several virtual meetings to discuss ideas and projects that we will be able to undertake throughout the semester with the rest of the team; one of these projects was to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February at Strathcona Park in Ottawa with other volunteers. We walked around the Rideau River and we had the chance to observe several species of birds, including a hawk and many mallards! The event was a great success!
In early spring, it was important to learn how to patrol buildings at risk as well as ways to rescue an injured or dead bird through Safe Wings virtual meetings and in the field with the help of experienced volunteers. Following the patrol orientation, I was able to patrol many times in downtown Ottawa and on campus. Unfortunately, April was rather cold, so the bird migrations took place a little later, but I still found and collected multiple birds that had collided with the windows of buildings.
What I will take away the most from my experience is the fact that we must continue to push to regulate the construction of buildings in the City of Ottawa and to make all buildings safe for birds. Knowing that bird collisions are a problem and that birds strike regularly and seeing it in person are two different things. It truly broke my heart to see so many bird corpses right here in the city. This is why it is imperative to protect migratory birds to ensure their future.
I am also grateful to have been able to meet volunteers passionate about the cause who inspired me to take initiative and to get involved in my community to protect native and endangered bird species. It was an unforgettable experience and I am happy to be able to continue my academic journey as a member of Bird-Safe Campus. — Laurence Godin
