Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society DOAS Launches Area Workshops for Bird-Friendly Homes

ONEONTA — Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS) announces a series of workshops to support Bird-Friendly Homes throughout their Chapter Region. The workshops will focus on helping homeowners make Acopian BirdSavers window treatments for up to three windows in their homes (for free while funding lasts) in order to reduce bird-window collisions at homes throughout our communities.

It is estimated that over 1 billion birds die as a result of window collisions each year in North America with 99% of these occurring at residential and low-rise buildings. It is considered to be the third highest cause of bird mortality, following habitat loss and predation by domestic cats.

Up to 50% of bird-window collisions leave no evidence at all.

Many of the birds that fly away are likely to die later of their injuries.

Birds most often suffer concussions and internal injuries which can take days to kill them.

If a collision kills a parent bird, the young will most likely also die.

This is all preventable if people take action at their own homes.

According to DOAS Co-President, Andy Mason, “There’s not a lot we can do as individuals to directly help birds, but preventing window collisions is a hands-on way to save their lives.”

A special program to overview this issue for birds is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 7:30pm on Zoom. Interested parties can register at https://mobilize.us/s/4Mcrr7 .

Homeowners in our communities are invited to attend one of the area workshops where they can learn more and make/take home Acopian BirdSaver window treatments for up to three windows at their residences to help prevent collisions. Pre-registration is required so that ample materials can be available.

Susan O’Handley, DOAS Education Chair, is coordinating these programs and states, “We are very grateful to each of our host locations and our student assistant groups for their enthusiastic response to help with these workshops. We are working on this issue collaboratively with other chapters throughout NY and CT this year and I’m excited at the prospect of meaningful reduction in bird deaths as a result.”

The schedule of bird-friendly window events is as follows:

March 22 Workshop in Sidney, NY

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/VsIj0s

11am-1pm at Sidney Memorial Public Library, Smart Community Room

Assisted by Binghamton University Audubon Society Campus Chapter

March 29 Workshop in Oneonta, NY

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/CWnZp2

11am – 1pm at Southside Mall, Oneonta, NY

Assisted by SUNY Oneonta Environmental Science Club

April 12 Workshop in Cobleskill, NY

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/KiXz8H

10am-12pm at SUNY Cobleskill Center for Agricultural and Natural Resources

Assisted by SUNY Cobleskill Wildlife Society

April 18 Overview Presentation on Zoom

7:30pm, given by DOAS Education Chair Susan O'Handley

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/4Mcrr7

April 26 Workshop at Earth Festival, Milford, NY

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/bh0wyu

10am-3pm at Milford Central School

Assisted by Hartwick College FORCES (Environmental Sustainability Club)

May 3 Workshop in Delhi, NY

Register at https://mobilize.us/s/tJJqjN

10am-12pm at SUNY Delhi

Assisted by SUNY Delhi Sustainability Club

These workshops are made possible through a 2025 Collaborative Grant from National Audubon Society and through donations that are collected through the events. Any questions can be directed to Susan O’Handley at s.ohandley@doas.us or 607-397-3815.