Bird Strike Study at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Dr. J. Alan Clark, an associate professor of biology at Fordham University in New York, prepares to study the impact of bridges on migrating birds.

NPS photo by Nancy Duncan

Most birds migrate at night and are drawn to artificial light sources. Many studies have shown that tall buildings, communication towers, wind turbines, and oil rigs have a negative impact on migrating birds…but what about bridges? If you crossed over the Mississippi River on one of three bridges near St. Paul, MN, in 2017, you may have seen this avian radar equipment set up. The staff at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area coordinated with Dr. J. Alan Clark, an associate professor of biology at Fordham University in New York, to study the impact of bridges on migrating birds. According to Dr. Clark, this could very well be the first study of this kind anywhere in the world!

The second largest cause of bird deaths in North American is birds flying into human-made structures. The three bridges in the study were chosen for factors including height, lighting and orientation. Once the data from the project has been analyzed, researchers will understand how these variables influence migrating birds. If they impact the birds in negative ways, changes in lighting on these and other bridges might prove helpful. Information from this study could also minimize bird collisions with bridges of the future by informing their design, orientation, and lighting!