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Nature reserve uses bird protection film on windows

News imageBirdshades The image shows "what you see vs what you do not see" side by side image showing what a window looks like from the human eye (left) and what it looks like from a bird's point of view (right). The image is of a window from the inside of a building. There is a three seater red chair in front of the window. Outside the window, there is a tree, grass and buildings.Birdshades
Birds can detect the film on windows but are not alarmed by it

A nature reserve has installed a protection window film that birds can detect, stopping them from crashing into its windows.

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Gloucestershire is among the first UK nature reserve to use glass protection technology to tackle a major cause of bird deaths - window collisions.

Annually, an estimated 100 million birds crash into windows in the UK, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. The technology uses UV active film, making windows detectable to birds, while remaining almost clear to humans.

Anna Cork, reserve warden at WWT Slimbridge, said: "Slimbridge is a haven for wetland birds, and we're proud to be taking meaningful action to protect them."

News imageWWT An image of the trust showing a lake with wooden "lily pads" connecting both sides. There is a man and a woman and two children walking across the lily pads. On the lake there is also a swan. Behind the lake, there are multiple benches and umbrella, with the restaurant behind.WWT
The specialist film helps tackle a major issue around bird conservation

The newest installation of the protection film covers the panoramic windows of Slimbridge Garden Estuary Restaurant.

It overlooks the Severn Estuary, a stopover for thousands of wetland birds.

The glass windows previously posed a serious risks to the birds and Ms Cork says the film plays a "vital" role in conservation, while blending seamlessly with the buildings design.

Chris George, manager of the company who supplies the film, said: "WWT Slimbridge is setting an example in bird-safe building design."

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