Conservative estimates state that over 100 million birds die in Germany each year from colliding into glass windowpanes.* Here at TU Dresden, new measures have been taken to better protect birds from this mortal fate. The campus features many buildings with large glass surfaces – a continual cause of avian death. Many birds including common reed warblers, kingfishers and song thrushes have fallen victim to the inadvertent hazard laid by the Biology building on Zellescher Weg. Together, Environmental Management and researchers at TU Dresden have worked on solutions that can be applied on our campus and elsewhere. The glass facade of the building’s south-facing side is now adorned with a partial protective film that helps animals to identify the solid structure. The film’s design features stylized trees and blends in perfectly with the surrounding greenery.

Since 2019, TU Dresden has been exploring the effectiveness of bird-deterrent films. Reports of accidents and discoveries of bird remains led to a trial partial coverage of the Judeich- und Cotta-Bau building on the Tharandt campus with a bird-deterrent film. This coverage was expanded in 2020. Six students monitored bird collisions as part of their final theses, and their findings were clear: A total of 59 birds were proven to have struck the Judeich-Bau building in 2021. Of these collisions, just 12 percent were against windows laminated with bird-deterrent film, whereas the other 88 percent of crashes were against untreated windows.

© Stefanie Wiedmer

A bird-deterrent film has now also been applied to the expansive glass facade of the Biology building on the main Dresden campus using funds from the Excellence Strategy earmarked for campus development. From seven proposed designs, Biology staff and students decided on the “branching” pattern put forth by TUD’s Corporate Design team.

An exhibit titled “Der Preis des Glases – Vogelschlag an Glasfassaden” (English: “The Price of Glass – Bird Collisions Against Glass Facades”) will feature in the lobby of the Biology building until the end of the year. In addition to specimens of birds that have collided into windows, the exhibit will showcase various solutions proposed by many different companies to counteract this problem. Many authorities have also become aware of this issue, resulting in new bird protection requirements in building design.

* Source: Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft der Vogelschutzwarten (LAG VSW) (2017): The possible dimension of bird collision with glass in Germany – an extrapolation. Berichte zum Vogelschutz 53/54: 63–67.

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