NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Large city buildings in downtown areas can be confusing for migratory birds, especially in downtown Norfolk, with its massive stretches of glass windows and lights on at night.
Birds that hit the glass often die. Since starting daily search efforts in August, the Cape Henry Audubon Society has found at least 264 birds that died by building strikes in Norfolk.
“So, they’re drawn into downtown,” Pat Scanlon said. “They are lured in by the lights, and then once they’re in the cityscape, if they can’t find their way out, they start hitting windows.”
Before Scanlon and her group started the search for dead birds on Friday, Nov. 1, security at the Gather building called her, saying that a bird was hurt after hitting a window — it was still alive.
“Its a warbler,” Scanlon said. “It’s eyes are closed, it’s not doing too good.”
Safely nestling the pine warbler in a box, Scanlon passed it off to Heidi Young, who brought it to Tidewater Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation, where it may fly again in a few days.