HELP THE FLAP BIRD RESCUE CHALLENGE TAKE OFF!
As you may know, volunteers with the Fatal Light Awareness Program, affectionately known as FLAP, patrol the grounds around office towers in downtown Toronto and beyond to rescue migratory birds that accidentally hit the buildings. During night-time migration native birds are sometimes drawn in by the bright lights shining from tall, human-built structures. Especially on nights of low cloud cover they may crash into the buildings. During the day migrating birds may be fooled by the windows in our homes or office buildings constructed from mirrored glazing. In any scenario where glass reflects the outdoor environment - trees, shrubs, sky - chances are birds will smash into the buildings. You feel badly about the all those innocent little birds that hit buildings. If it's not reflective windows during the day then it's lit office towers, lighthouses, monuments, smokestacks and other structures at night. But what can you do? Of course - you can join the FLAP Bird Rescue Challenge!
FLAP has devised a way in which you can help. By participating in the FLAP Bird Rescue Challenge you can not only rescue stunned birds that may otherwise fall prey to cats, gulls, raccoons or other animals, but the pledges you gather will help finance FLAP's educational programs and spread the word about wildlife conservation. You will become part of a growing movement to end the senseless loss of our beautiful and useful native birds. Sign up for this 14-day event now. You can contribute as much or as little time as you like to the rescue effort. Arm yourself with the FLAP Bird Rescue Challenge Kit and the supplies recommended in the Preparatory Kit. Work alone, with a friend or as part of a team. Visit your local lighthouse, university campus or mirrored building, or just stay at home if you find that birds hit your house during migration. Find someone to witness all the birds that you salvage. Ideally this would be a local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian but it could also be a friend or neighbour. The advantage of locating a rehabber or vet is that they can determine whether the live birds you find are ready for release. You will experience the thrill of releasing a live bird, giving it another chance at survival and freedom. You will help further research into bird conservation by providing dead birds to institutions such as the Royal Ontario Museum, or your local museum or university ornithology department. All collisions will be entered into the FLAP database. The total number of casualties from the Bird Rescue Challenge can be shared with the media and your community. Start by registering online. Once registered you will receive a FLAP Bird Rescue Challenge Kit. Carefully review this kit, then get ready to participate in a most unique birding adventure! Questions? E-mail us at flap@flap.org or call 416-366-3527 (FLAP). Register to participate Question and Answer Table