topic Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents? in Garden

Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

depglass — Wed, 22 May 2019 19:05:54 GMT

I ask this every year, hoping for a better solution. We have a feeder on the roof edge of our deck, and boy are we getting the birds. Some of these I've never seen before. But with the increased feeding comes increased bird strikes on the glass. We can't put the feeders away from the house because they attract bears. My neighbor has video to prove it. Right now I'm still using the glittery wide mylar ribbon taped to the glass and moving with the wind.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

dex — Wed, 22 May 2019 19:11:12 GMT

How about screens on the windows

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

morganjen — Wed, 22 May 2019 19:28:37 GMT

I get the window clings from Duncraft. Search for "Window Strike Solutions" on the Duncraft website.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

Lucky Charm — Thu, 23 May 2019 01:45:08 GMT

@dex wrote:
How about screens on the windows

I'm not sure what OP is feeding, but I do know that seagulls and screens----not a good thing!

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

goldensrbest — Thu, 23 May 2019 14:36:13 GMT

Put up blinds,like rollar shades.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

JustJazzmom — Fri, 24 May 2019 06:10:44 GMT

The problem is: the sky is reflected in the window, so the bird flies into the window thinking it’s the sky.

I tried those bird clings & they didn’t work. I think the shades is a good idea.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

depglass — Fri, 31 May 2019 16:30:19 GMT

Sadly we have decided to discontinue feeding sunflower seeds for the summer and put out the hummingbird feeders in that place. I miss watching the variety of birds but don't want to injure them. Shades are not practical as our goal of building in the woods was to SEE the woods. Not a curtain in this house, not even the bathroom. We are secluded so it is not an issue.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

depglass — Fri, 31 May 2019 16:42:43 GMT

Forgot to say I checked out the Duncraft and we have similar stickems on the windows now. They don't seem to work, but thanks for the suggestion.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

gardenman — Fri, 31 May 2019 17:56:29 GMT

Something you could try is hanging bird netting from your gutters over the windows. It's a nearly invisible mesh so it won't drastically affect your view, but it would stop the birds from hitting the windows. It's sold in lawn and garden centers. Attaching it to the gutters and then adding small weights to the bottom would create something of an airbag for any bird flying into it. The outside edge of your gutter is typically a ways away from the window, so it would create a nice buffer zone for any bird impacting it. By using weights on the bottom or perhaps a bungie cord anchored to the ground you could make essentially a vertical trampoline for birds that fly into it. It would confuse the heck out of them, but protect them from hitting the window.

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

sabatini — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 18:38:04 GMT

Hi.

I live in AZ, and had 'sun screens' put on my very large cathedral, arched windows.

Naturally, here they're primarily used to cut down on the blazing heat & to protect inside furniture, rugs, etc. from sun damage.

What's interesting is that during the day, you can't see into the house, so they afford total privacy during daylight hours....but they don't impede YOUR view of the outdoors. Nice!

Before the screens were installed, bird strikes were common, and there'd even be the imprint of the bird left on the window! Awful.

Good luck!

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

JustJazzmom — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:50:18 GMT

Sorry but that netting would make my neighbors thinking I had gone nuts.

I do like the sunscreen idea. Any specific brand used @sabatini ? Is it between the glass panels or applied on the interior like an acrylic plastic stickee?

Re: Any new improved bird strike deterrents?

sabatini — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 03:46:54 GMT

Hi, @JustJazzmom .

They're installed on the exterior, & can be made to fit any window of any size. They also come in various light filtering strengths.

The company I used was recommended by my electric company, so I got a rebate on the purchase.

My windows are very high up, and quite large. Having the sun screens installed has lowered my energy bill, and no more bird strikes!

This picture isn't my home, but an example of the screens.

From the inside, your view of the outside is perfectly normal!

*Edited to add a pic.