In the early mornings of Philadelphia, while the city is just beginning to stir, I am often already downtown—walking among the towering glass buildings that make up Center City. But I am not there to admire the skyline. I am there to bear witness to one of the unintended consequences of our built environment: bird collisions with glass.
I began monitoring bird collisions in 2008, working with a program that continued until 2011. The work was difficult but necessary, and I believed it was making a difference. When the program paused, I thought my days of early-morning monitoring might be behind me. But in the fall of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I returned. What happened next would change the course of my life and the city’s response to bird safety.
On October 2, 2020, I witnessed one of the most devastating events I have ever seen: over 1,000 migratory birds killed in a single night by collisions with Philadelphia’s buildings.
October 2, 2020: some of the many birds that collided with the Comcast Technology Center and Four Seasons Hotel
I documented the tragedy with photographs, not realizing at the time that they would spread from local outlets to national and international press. That horrific morning became a turning point, galvanizing support for Bird Safe Philly and Lights Out Philly, initiatives that continue today to reduce nighttime lighting and make the city safer for migrating birds.
Since that day, I have dedicated myself to monitoring during both spring and fall migrations—over 180 days each year. My mornings begin at 4:30 a.m., and by 5:30 I am on the streets of Center City, carefully scanning sidewalks and building perimeters. It is heartbreaking work, but it is also hopeful. Alongside documenting fatalities, I rescue stunned birds and send them to wildlife rehabilitators, giving them a second chance at survival.
Too magnificent a bird to die on the streets of Philadelphia
Over time, I have seen that this work resonates with people. Building staff, office workers, and passersby have all shown immense concern for the environment and curiosity about what can be done. Day after day, I’ve learned that education is the most powerful tool we have. Most people simply don’t realize how dangerous glass is for birds. To them, a window is just a window. But for a bird, it is either a reflection of the sky or an invisible barrier. Once people understand that glass equals death if you are a bird, they begin to see the urgency of change.
Unfortunately, before the final panel of Feather Friendly dots was installed on Sister City Café, this Black and White Warbler flew into the only portion of the glass that was not covered. The is the last documented bird to die at this location.
At this location, we have found that the Feather Friendly dots have been 98% effective.
I’ve been a birder for over 50 years. Birds have filled my life with joy, wonder, and adventure. Now, this work is my way of giving something back. Every morning in the city is an act of gratitude, but also an act of advocacy.
The challenge ahead is clear: we must continue to educate, educate, educate. By harnessing the goodwill people already have for our planet and helping them see the hidden dangers of our built environment, we can create cities, suburban communities, and rural spaces that are safer not only for humans but for the millions of birds who share Earth with us.
