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County reports early success for bird‑friendly window treatments; residential ordinance adoption planned
Summary
Lake County reported reductions in bird collisions at a county building pilot after adding paracord ‘BirdSavers’ and FeatherFriendly window markers; the board is scheduled to take final action on a residential bird‑friendly building design ordinance that would take effect July 12, 2025.
Lake County staff briefed the Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee on April 30 about a pilot project to reduce bird collisions and the county’s planned residential bird‑friendly building design ordinance.
Eric Wagner reported a small pilot at the Central Permit Facility showing an 80% drop in bird collision fatalities on the façade fitted with paracord assemblies (Acopian BirdSavers) and a 50% reduction where FeatherFriendly window markers were applied. Wagner noted the pilot sample is small but said the results suggest these measures can reduce collisions and serve as public outreach examples.
Wagner also reminded the committee that the county board will consider final adoption of a residential bird‑friendly building design ordinance; if adopted, staff said the ordinance would become effective 60 days after adoption (stated as July 12 in the presentation). He said the county will continue public education about low‑cost residential options and display treatment examples at county facilities.
Staff invited the public and municipalities to review material on the county website and highlighted partners engaged in the effort, including the American Bird Conservancy and Lake County Audubon. Wagner characterized the early pilot results as encouraging and described the ordinance and pilot as complementary approaches to reducing bird strikes at county facilities and in the residential market.
