Bird Friendly Skies

London's Bird Friendly Skies

Save Energy and Birds.

We can all work together to create a safer and more environmentally friendly experience for migrating birds.

Limiting our light at night, and transitioning to window treatments that stop birds from flying into buildings not only protects them, but cuts back on energy costs.

Why does it matter?

Light pollution impacts the behaviour of animals, fish and bugs, which impacts ecological health locally and nationally. Reducing wasted lighting energy is an easy and crucial way for the City  to reduce its carbon footprint, lessen light pollution and save money.

Other Ontario municipalities have implemented outdoor lighting ordinances to save energy costs and to preserve local bird species with positive results, and now London is doing the same.

The City of London's Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE), Environment and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee (EEPAC), and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), encourage efforts to create bird friendly communities through reduced light pollution and increased dark skies.

These committees supplied guidelines to follow as city staff drafted the by-law.

Bird Friendly Skies help to

• preserve local bird species
• reduce the number of birds colliding with buildings
• conserve your home or office's energy
• redirect light more effectively away from skies and reduces light pollution

Help take Climate Action

In 2019, London City Council declared a Climate Emergency. Adapting to a changing climate requires taking action to protect our natural, built and social environments. The climate emergency is a call to action to combat and reduce our impact on the environment.

Bird window collision guidelines

Has a bird hit your window and you're unsure what to do?

The following document lists the steps to take when this situation happens.

New Lighting Design Criteria

Through recent changes to the Site Plan Control By-law, development requiring Site Plan Approval (commercial and multi-family residential) are required to design and construct developments to do the following:

• direct lighting towards the area requiring illumination to reduce skyglow and light pollution which creates bird-friendly development.
• provide full cut-off and have zero up lighting.

For questions on the new lighting criteria for Site Plan, contact Development Services: 519-661-3500, or email DevelopmentServices@london.ca.

Did you know?

• 25 million birds die in Canada from crashing into windows each year.
• there are at least 23 bird species at risk that collide with buildings in Canada.
• in 2019, scientists reported a 29% decrease in birds since 1970.
• visit birdsafe.ca for tips to protect birds at your home and office.

Source: FLAP Canada