Protecting Birds on Fleming’s Frost Campus

Bird-window collisions pose a serious conservation challenge, but applied research at Fleming College’s Frost Campus is proving that small, science-backed interventions can have a big impact.

In 2022, Professor Thom Luloff received funding through Fleming College’s internal research grant program, iGRO, to assess the effectiveness of window markers in reducing bird strikes on campus. Partnering with Feather Friendly®, North America’s leading manufacturer of bird-safe window markers, the project installed their product at Auk’s Lodge, making it the first certified bird-friendly building in the Kawartha Lakes region.

Students played a key role in the research, monitoring window strikes during peak migration seasons. In 449 person-hours of research involving 93 students, not a single bird strike was recorded on treated windows. However, collisions continued on untreated surfaces, reinforcing the need for broader implementation.

This work didn’t go unnoticed—it contributed to the City of Kawartha Lakes earning Bird Friendly City certification in 2024, and student researchers were named Environmental Heroes for their efforts.

What’s next? A new funding proposal has been submitted to a federal granting agency to expand monitoring efforts beyond the campus, with a decision expected in spring 2025.

Have a challenge that needs solving? Let’s tackle it together. Applied research at Fleming helps businesses and organizations access faculty expertise, research funding, and industry partnerships to drive innovation and impact.

Contact us at appliedresearch@flemingcollege.ca to explore what’s possible.