McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the US, and its location along one of the most important bird migration corridors in the country has made it a terrible hazard for birds, especially this time of year. Last year, around one thousand birds perished from window strikes during a single tragic night at McCormick.
During the night of October 3/4, 2023, several things came together to turn the birds’ journey into an especially hazardous one. The McCormick Place Lakeside Center has two football fields’ worth of windows along the lakefront, which migrating birds follow on their journey south. The weather was perfect for their journey, so large numbers of them were in the sky that night. However, rain in the early morning forced them to lower altitudes, and the lights at McCormick Place were on, looking inviting to the unsuspecting birds.
Following the mass collision event, Sag Moraine joined with several other organizations to encourage our members and followers to sign a petition from Bird Friendly Chicago, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, Chicago Audobon Society, and the Chicago Ornithological Society, to request enforcement of a lights-out initiative at McCormick Place.
McCormick did reaffirm their commitment to lights-out, but they also took additional steps and announced last week that they have completed a $1.2 million installation of bird-safe film on the windows, to enable the birds to see the windows and avoid collisions. “McCormick Place believes it is essential to prioritize the well-being of wildlife and to take proactive steps to protect their habitats,” they said.
Windows on homes and businesses are hazardous for birds. This consumer guide by Dr. Daniel Klem is a great resource describing the effectiveness of products that can mitigate the hazards. Chicago Bird Collision Monitors also offer these suggestions.
Bird migration is happening again right now, and we can all take steps to help make their journey safer.