A nature reserve in Gloucestershire is using special glass to help stop birds crashing into windows.
Every year, around 100 million birds in the UK fly into glass by mistake, often getting hurt or killed. Now, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge has added a special film to their windows that makes them easier for birds to see.
The film is made from UV material. Although humans can’t see UV light, birds can. This means that while the glass still looks clear to people, it looks solid to birds.
Birds often crash into windows because they see reflections of trees or sky and think it’s real. But with the UV film, they understand there’s something there and fly safely around it.
The windows at the Slimbridge Garden Estuary Restaurant are now covered with this special film. Visitors can still enjoy views of thousands of wetland birds without putting the animals in danger.
Anna Cork from WWT Slimbridge said they are proud to take action to protect wildlife.
