Volunteer position:
Patroller, building outreach
How did you first get involved with Safe Wings Ottawa?
I did a bit of work with window collisions on the west coast, but there weren’t any established groups in my city. I was excited to find Safe Wings when I moved to Ottawa so I could learn more about the problem.
What are some activities you’ve done as a Safe Wings volunteer?
Writing and speaking to building owners about making buildings bird-safe, patrolling, catching some injured birds like mallards, Canada goose, gulls and pigeons.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences so far?
Recently a bird I found in terrible shape from a window collision was released after several weeks in care at the Wild Bird Care Centre. I found it in a pool of blood, barely conscious, so it was exciting that it survived. I also flipped a canoe while attempting a duck rescue and got called to rescue an injured Great Blue Heron only to find that it was an uninjured turkey.
Why do you volunteer with Safe Wings?
Safe Wings is a great opportunity to make tangible changes to decrease bird deaths. As an individual, you can feel very helpless about dealing with issues like climate change and habitat loss, but each window we treat or building that is designed to be bird-friendly saves many birds. Humans have created the problem of window collisions, so it’s up to us to solve it.
What do you find most rewarding?
I’m always happy when Safe Wings inspires others to make changes – from architects to homeowners, we can all make a difference. It’s also really rewarding when injured birds that I find are able to heal and be released. At the population level, rescuing one individual may not do much, but to that individual you’re a lifesaver.
