Jena, 25.02.2026 – Bird strikes on glass panes are one of the most common causes of death for birds in Germany. To make this problem visible, NABU Jena and NABU Leipzig have launched a joint reporting portal where citizens can record such incidents.
- What: New online reporting portal for bird strikes on buildings
- Who: NABU Jena in cooperation with NABU Leipzig
- Purpose: Systematic recording of location, date, and photos to identify danger hotspots
- Reporting Portal Jena: vogelschlag.nabu-jena.de
Making Danger Zones Visible
Flying into glass surfaces is fatal for many birds. Until now, there has been a lack of large-scale, systematic recording of the affected buildings and window fronts. NABU’s self-developed, free-to-use reporting portal is now intended to close this gap. In the joint pilot project of the regional associations Jena and Leipzig, citizens can now upload the circumstances of the find, precise data, and photos of the injured or killed birds.
The entered data flows directly into a so-called heatmap. This map display makes local hotspots visually apparent and helps to locate particularly dangerous buildings in the region. As Madleen Schätz from NABU Jena explains, it is essential to know exactly where the accidents occur in order to be able to react in a targeted manner.
Goal: Concrete Protection Measures by Authorities
The project does not only serve the pure documentation of injured or dead animals. Rather, the collected evidence is intended to serve as a solid basis for proving an increased risk of killing at specific structures. Based on this, nature conservation authorities can order targeted measures to curb bird deaths on reflective or transparent glass surfaces in the future.
Clear and reflective glass is invisible to birds. It either reflects the sky and trees or simulates a clear flight path through opposing windows. Experts recommend highly visible dot or stripe patterns on the panes for prevention. The classic black bird-of-prey silhouettes (warning birds), on the other hand, often have very little protective effect, as they are not perceived by birds as enemies, but merely as another obstacle to fly around.
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.