We have been having a problem with bird strikes at the Sweeton house that seems to be pretty consistent and disturbing: a strike every other week with a fatality every fourth or fifth strike. We aren't sure if the issue is the reflections on the glass, or if the birds are seeing through the house and not knowing the glass is in their way. All windows seem to be subject to strikes except for the high windows in the gallery and the transoms in the bedrooms, which seem to be shielded from view by the roof overhangs. The problem is probably exacerbated by the fact that we do not have any curtains on the windows...we don't need them, don't want them, and the house was not designed for them. We have looked into window decals, but based on what we have read, we would need a lot of them...1 per transom, 2 per casement, 3 per french door, and 4 to 5 on the largest sheets. The decals are not cheap, and have to be removed and replaced for glass cleaning.
Does anyone know of a simpler, more elegant solution that would not leave the house looking like an army of sticker toting preschoolers had their way with it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Birds+Large Plate Glass.....
I've also had this problem ever since building our house (large windows and no curtains as well). It's a very unsettling thud. They just try to fly right through. I have to run outside and beat the cat, and have nursed more than a few stunned survivors back to health. Fortunately, there are few fatalities.
A beach house near here strung CD's with filament across the wall to wall windows from the eave. I guess the flickering from the sun distracts them. Maybe such a drastic (and unartistic) solution is warranted if you're trying to keep sea gulls at bay, and from the inside it might be charming looking out to miles of nothing but water, but I haven't been able to try this-it might work!
A beach house near here strung CD's with filament across the wall to wall windows from the eave. I guess the flickering from the sun distracts them. Maybe such a drastic (and unartistic) solution is warranted if you're trying to keep sea gulls at bay, and from the inside it might be charming looking out to miles of nothing but water, but I haven't been able to try this-it might work!
We had that same problem at Fawcett, the thud a barn owl makes on plate glass was jarring. It did leave a pretty awesome outline, though..At Beharka...he installed dark red mini blinds set inside the frame, while not the best solution, once we brought the blinds down the number of casualties has gone down to zero.
KevinW
I recall reading that Mr. Wright had said that his houses were rough on birds. One solution one of his homeowners had come up with was not to wash the plate glass windows, which had helped the birds to see them. Personally that would drive me a little crazy!
No. I am not a bot! Yes this is my first post after viewing these boards after many years. DRN I wish you the best in finding a solution to this distressing problem, so far it seems that luck has been on your side, if not outright skill.
No. I am not a bot! Yes this is my first post after viewing these boards after many years. DRN I wish you the best in finding a solution to this distressing problem, so far it seems that luck has been on your side, if not outright skill.
Sequoia--welcome. Always glad to have more non-bots contributing to the discussion.
I'm afraid we have been using the dirty window method as well. One, because of the birds; two, because I can't reach many of the windows without scaffolding. Deliberate dirt is not a very pleasant alternative, but it has worked so far.
I'm wondering if the problem is mainly present as DRN describes, in those places where the bird thinks it can fly all the way through from one side of the room to the other. In that case, if you were going to use decals, would you only need to put them on one of the two sets of windows, to remove that illusion of safe passage all the way across?
I'm afraid we have been using the dirty window method as well. One, because of the birds; two, because I can't reach many of the windows without scaffolding. Deliberate dirt is not a very pleasant alternative, but it has worked so far.
I'm wondering if the problem is mainly present as DRN describes, in those places where the bird thinks it can fly all the way through from one side of the room to the other. In that case, if you were going to use decals, would you only need to put them on one of the two sets of windows, to remove that illusion of safe passage all the way across?
San Francisco has recently adopted new building design standards for preventing bird/high rise building collisions. There is considerable research on the subject referenced or reproduced on the SF Planning Department's website.
http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=2506
http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=2506
Jim
DRN,
Your description of Sweeton is identical to the Dobkins problem of birds flying into the windows. Our south facing windows seem to reflect the trees and landscape very clearly and as a result confuse our fine feather friends.
When we first acquired the home it took us a couple of years to remove the storm windows that were added by Dr. Dobkins. As I remember we had fewer
crashes in those days for the windows were very hazy between the exterior and interior panes of plate glass.
Your description of Sweeton is identical to the Dobkins problem of birds flying into the windows. Our south facing windows seem to reflect the trees and landscape very clearly and as a result confuse our fine feather friends.
When we first acquired the home it took us a couple of years to remove the storm windows that were added by Dr. Dobkins. As I remember we had fewer
crashes in those days for the windows were very hazy between the exterior and interior panes of plate glass.
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Laurie Virr
- Posts: 472
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:32 pm
Dan:
The problem with which you are confronted is common here also.
I have requested of SDR that he post some images of a hemicycle I built a few years ago. The soffit is vented and screened, and the clients have hung netting from that location. The breeze catching the netting moves it sufficiently to deter the birds.
The images were taken whilst there was still work to be done to complete the construction: planters to construct externally, and built in furniture within the house.
The problem with which you are confronted is common here also.
I have requested of SDR that he post some images of a hemicycle I built a few years ago. The soffit is vented and screened, and the clients have hung netting from that location. The breeze catching the netting moves it sufficiently to deter the birds.
The images were taken whilst there was still work to be done to complete the construction: planters to construct externally, and built in furniture within the house.
Perhaps a screen of light chain -- bead chain, for instance -- with strands spaced c. 4-6 inches apart -- might make a sufficiently noticeable yet transparent barrier ? This would be permeable, in the sense that humans could pass through it easily, yet birds would either see it or, failing that, would not be much injured if they contacted it.
SDR
SDR
Laurie,
An excellent resolve. The netting sets a very tranquil mood as well. It has a resort like quality.
You should be congratulated on this excellent design. I'm sure your clients are happily ensconced in their organic space.
Your glass walls sans stiles and rails are as minimal as you can get. Very lovely! (I'm sure the birds were confused before the netting.)
What can you tell us about the wood screen to the left of the one pic.
I could see a variation of your design, in our landscape, near the path on the
way to to our wooded area and studios.
An excellent resolve. The netting sets a very tranquil mood as well. It has a resort like quality.
You should be congratulated on this excellent design. I'm sure your clients are happily ensconced in their organic space.
Your glass walls sans stiles and rails are as minimal as you can get. Very lovely! (I'm sure the birds were confused before the netting.)
What can you tell us about the wood screen to the left of the one pic.
I could see a variation of your design, in our landscape, near the path on the
way to to our wooded area and studios.
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Laurie Virr
- Posts: 472
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:32 pm
dtc:
Thank you for your kind remarks. I am flattered.
The clients for the house shown above are the best I have had. They approached me with a commission for a house exactly like my own, and I refused their request. They then modified their request, but still wanted a hemicycle, it was a suitable form for the site,and I was pleased to oblige.
My own house preceded theirs by some 25 years, sufficient time to modify details as a consequence of experience. As one would expect, as hemicycles they share certain characteristics, but much of the detailing is different.
Yards in Australia are generally defined with paling fences, most of which are absolutely hideous. My clients asked me to design a fence having a little more character than the usual creation.
The site is in white ant country, and it was necessary for any fence intended to be long lasting, that it be raised above grade on steel stirrups. I conceived the basic framework as a Warren truss, spanning between the stirrups.
You are most welcome to have a copy of the drawing I prepared for this task. Please use it as you will.
I shall request SDR to post some images of the fence and gate.
SDR:
My clients became aware that the majority of the birds stunned or killed as a consequence of flying into the glass were migratory species. They remove the netting in winter.
Thank you for your kind remarks. I am flattered.
The clients for the house shown above are the best I have had. They approached me with a commission for a house exactly like my own, and I refused their request. They then modified their request, but still wanted a hemicycle, it was a suitable form for the site,and I was pleased to oblige.
My own house preceded theirs by some 25 years, sufficient time to modify details as a consequence of experience. As one would expect, as hemicycles they share certain characteristics, but much of the detailing is different.
Yards in Australia are generally defined with paling fences, most of which are absolutely hideous. My clients asked me to design a fence having a little more character than the usual creation.
The site is in white ant country, and it was necessary for any fence intended to be long lasting, that it be raised above grade on steel stirrups. I conceived the basic framework as a Warren truss, spanning between the stirrups.
You are most welcome to have a copy of the drawing I prepared for this task. Please use it as you will.
I shall request SDR to post some images of the fence and gate.
SDR:
My clients became aware that the majority of the birds stunned or killed as a consequence of flying into the glass were migratory species. They remove the netting in winter.
