Press Releases

September 26, 2006
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Michelle Pintar
Phone: (414) 431-6104
E-mail: mpintar@wihumane.org

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY   
Injured Migrating Birds Arrive at WHS:
Victims of Window Collisions

MILWAUKEE – They patrol the streets of downtown Milwaukee in the pre-dawn hours looking for the injured and, sadly in some cases, the dead. These caring souls are the Wisconsin Humane Society's volunteer Bird Collision Monitors (BCMs) looking to help birds injured as a result of window collisions. On a daily basis these volunteers rush these stunned and injured birds to the Wisconsin Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The birds suffer from various injuries: anything from eye injuries to severe concussions and shock. Species found thus far this fall include Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows; Black-throated Green, Blackpoll and Tennessee Warblers; a Brown Thrasher; and at least 10 other species.

It is estimated that between 100 million and one billion birds collide with windows annually in the United States. In an effort to help prevent bird window collisions and protect many thousands of birds already at risk from habitat loss and other human-caused problems, the Wisconsin Humane Society has launched WIngs: Wisconsin Night Guardians for Songbirds.

WIngs was created to get people throughout Wisconsin to help save precious wild birds from colliding with windows during the peak fall migration times of September and October. Owners, managers and tenants of tall buildings can help save migrating birds by turning out their lights between the hours of
11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the peak migration period. In addition, anyone, even homeowners, can apply simple appliqués on their windows to help prevent birds from dying in daytime window collisions, in which birds see reflections of the landscape on glass. For more information or to purchase these appliques, visit www.wihumane.org/wildlife/wings/default.aspx.

BCMs have been going out in the pre-dawn hours to search for, pick up and document window collision victims in Downtown Milwaukee since September 1, and will continue until the end of October.

WHAT:   
Birds have arrived at the Wisconsin Humane Society this bird migration season as a result of bird window collisions – some of the birds are currently being rehabilitated.

WHERE:       
Wisconsin Humane Society
4500 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208

MEDIA INTEREST:     
· Photo opportunity of injured birds being rehabilitated at WHS, and possibly the release of rehabilitated birds.
· Interview opportunity with Scott Diehl, Wildlife Manager at the Center and WIngs Program Coordinator.