- Melissa Sprenne
- Thursday, November 30, 2023
Richland Library Ballentine has had a very productive relationship with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and the Richland County Conservation Commission over the last few years. Our Birds of Ballentine installation both saves birds' lives and is a work of art. Read on to learn more about how and why this art installation is so important!
This project started with a chance meeting of two bird-brained individuals. "Bird-brained" in the sense that Jay Keck and I both have a love of birds and an interest in doing what we can to maintain their habitat. We enjoy educating everyone we meet about the importance of taking care of nature so that we can all enjoy the sight of birds (and butterflies and bunnies and box turtles…) for a long time to come.
Jay is the Industry Habitat Manager for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. I met him while he was staring out at the woods through the big windows at Ballentine Library. I wandered over to ask what he was seeing – and to offer library books and resources related to birds, like a good librarian! - and in that conversation, we discovered we were both avid bird watchers.
Not so fun fact: Birds strike glass because reflective or transparent glass is often invisible to them. It is estimated that between 100 million and 1 billion birds are killed by collisions in the United States alone each year, with an estimated 16 to 42 million fatalities in Canada. (Wikipedia)
He asked me about our windows, concerned about bird strikes. I had to confess that one of my unfortunate and saddest duties at the library was to take care of birds who had hit our windows. We discussed solutions and he eventually offered to write a grant to the Richland County Conservation Commission (RCCC) asking for funding for a product called CollidEscape to put on our windows to prevent bird strikes. We were awarded the grant (thank you, RCCC!) and began the process of designing, purchasing, and installing this life-saving art.
I am proud and so very happy to say that since installation was completed on February 8, 2022, we have seen no evidence of bird strikes on those windows! We were able to move our bird feeders and bird bath closer to the windows, too. This allows much closer viewing of our feathered friends (and occasional furry ones, too). On the windowsills, we keep a display of bird books and posters identifying the birds we see most often on and near the feeders. I also host a Birding at Ballentine program once a month. You should come visit!
Information and Resources to get you started:
National Wildlife Federation - Gardening for Wildlife
SCWF - Birds of Ballentine post