CBCM Introduction

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Please contact us if you would like to volunteer to help us in our efforts to protect migratory birds.

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Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) works as a non-profit volunteer project within the Chicago Audubon Society. If you would like to support our bird conservation efforts with a tax-deductible donation, make a check payable to "Chicago Audubon Society." Write "for CBCM" on the memo Line.

Mail to: Chicago Audubon Society

5801-C N. Pulaski Rd.

Chicago, IL 60646-6057

Or make a donation from our wish list:

-Large brown paper Lunch bags

-Large brown grocery bags

-Avery Labels – #5963 10 per page (2 x 4 inches) for laser printer

-1/2 or 1- inch binder clips

Materials can be brought to the Chicago Audubon Society office at 5801-C N. Pulaski Road. Call 773 539 6793 or 773-988-1867 to make arrangements.

Thank you for Helping us Help the Birds!!

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In Spring 2007 the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors found almost 1500 dead or injured migratory birds from more than 100 different species. Click on the "Database Findings" button (above) to see the results.

CBCM moved into its 5th fall migration season of bird rescue and protection with a busy day Sunday August 25, 2007!!

On this day, dedicated volunteers found more than 30 beautiful migratory warblers and thrushes (including this Canada Warbler) that were killed by collisions with hazardous glass at downtown buildings.

Fortunately, over 20 birds with collision injuries were able to be rescued. They were taken directly to Willowbrook Wildlife Center where they received high quality professional evaluation and care by a full staff of wildlife specialists and veterinarians. We are thrilled that 80% of those birds (like this Great Crested Flycatcher) were released into safe and appropriate habitat to pursue their migration south. The others will continue to receive supportive care and treatment to help them recover from their injuries.

If you would like to contribute to our bird rescue and protection efforts, please call: (773) 988-1867

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CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT SOME BUILDINGS ARE DOING TO REDUCE COLLISIONS!

CLICK HERE FOR CHICAGO'S BIRD AGENDA!

CLICK HERE FOR NEWSLETTERS AND FLIERS!______________________________________________________________________________

Click here to see footage of birds circling the lights in Chicago before CBCM's light reduction efforts.

First, a little information on our program.... The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors is an all volunteer, hands-on, grass-roots conservation effort for migratory birds. We work to rescue birds injured from striking buildings and we mitigate the risks of bird-building collisions by educating the public and working with building managers and architects to find solutions. Most people don't know that birds hitting glass and buildings is one of the top killers of migratory birds. The estimates are chilling and top out at 1 billion birds....a year.... in the US alone!!!!

Fortunately, this is a solvable problem. Already, we have saved thousands of birds in Chicago by getting managers to turn out their display and lobby lights. We directly rescued over 1,000 birds during the Fall 2007 season, and most of these birds were successfully released after treatment.

Our cooperative relations with building managers, security staff, sweepers, doormen and office workers play a significant role in helping save more birds. The CBCM HOTLINE responds to thousands of bird collision calls from the public each year.

During migration most of our Chicago building managers now participate in our efforts to save migrants. From mid-August to mid-November and from mid-March to mid-June, many buildings in the loop now dim or extinguish their rooftop display lighting and lobbies after 11pm. This makes a tremendous difference in the sheer numbers of birds that are injured and killed in collisions. Ken Wysocki and Robbie Hunsinger saw this firsthand in fall 2002 before CBCM existed.

There was a heavy night of migration on September 10th, 2002. All of the lights were on downtown and birds were circling rooftop lights, hitting buildings and literally falling out of the sky all night long and well into the morning hours. It was horrendous as birds were found on downtown sidewalks and streets of Chicago with very few survivors. After picking up nearly 80 dead birds, Robbie Hunsinger came home and started looking up phone numbers for building managers and contacting them. Through her efforts that day, the majority of rooftop lights were out by the following night and the drop in fatalities and injuries was obvious.

The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors project began in spring 2003. It was late spring 2002 when Robbie Hunsinger first monitored collisions. There was no monitoring program in place then, just one dedicated person going out to monitor for birds, Ken Wysocki. At that point, Ken and Robbie were mainly documenting fatalities. There was a terrible fallout in Fall 2002 with all of the lights on downtown which motivated Robbie to get more involved and to try to get an organization formed to deal with this devastating conservation issue. She began contacting building managers and others downtown for assistance and began recruiting volunteers in fall 2002. Robbie officially founded the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors program in spring 2003, and the program has grown significantly since that time. In 2004 Chicago became the first US city to go dark during spring and fall bird migrations! Thanks to our continued monitoring of night time lights, our follow- ups with managers, and our building recruitment efforts, a significant number of birds are flying safely over the downtown area.

In addition to rooftop lights, lit lobbies prove deadly for night migrating songbirds, especially when there is internal landscaping that attracts birds. This is a risk that can be eliminated by dimming lobbies during the early morning hours.

If you have a problem window at home or work, please consider treating windows. Find ways to make glass less transparent and less reflective.

If you have a problem at your home or office please contact us and we will be happy to help you find an appropriate solution.

Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' Site!

Helping Migratory Birds Safely Navigate the Loop

	Welcome to the
	Chicago Bird Collision Monitors' Site!

	We received the 2005 CHICAGO AUDUBON SOCIETY'S " PROTECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENT " AWARD! *and the 2007 Friends of the Parks ADVOCACY AWARD!*
	We are very honored by these recognitions and will do our best to continue our efforts to protect and rescue migratory birds.

	Click the Bird to see our Flash Animation!
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