202 Bird Collisions Recorded During Spring Migration in Georgia

Project Safe Flight volunteer Mary Kimberly surveys Cedar Waxwings who died after colliding with a building in metro Atlanta. Photo by Gavin MacDonald

Project Safe Flight is a conservation initiative dedicated to understanding and reducing bird-building collisions across Georgia. Through monitoring efforts in Metro Atlanta, Brunswick, and Savannah, the program helps identify which species are most affected, where collisions are occurring, and what solutions can make our cities safer for birds.

During both spring and fall migration, dedicated Project Safe Flight volunteers patrol survey routes before dawn, documenting birds that have been injured or killed after colliding with buildings. The data they collect provides critical insight into one of the leading human-caused sources of bird mortality.

During the Spring 2026 migration season, volunteers logged 133 hours surveying routes in Downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Midtown, Dunwoody, Georgia Tech, Savannah, Brunswick, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, the College of Coastal Georgia, and Drew Charter School.

Over the course of the season, volunteers documented 202 bird-building collisions across Metro Atlanta and Coastal Georgia. While this total is within the range typically recorded in Georgia, it represents an increase from the 144 collisions documented during Spring 2025.

The ten species most frequently affected by collisions this spring were:

1. Cedar Waxwing
2. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
3. Red-eyed Vireo
4. Northern Waterthrush
5. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
6. Gray Catbird
7. American Robin
8. Yellow-rumped Warbler
9. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
10. Scarlet Tanager

Among the birds documented this season were two Swainson's Warblers that died after colliding with high-rise buildings in Midtown Atlanta. These records mark species number 142 in the Project Safe Flight Georgia dataset, meaning approximately one-third of all bird species recorded in Georgia have now been documented as collision victims.

While the number of collisions recorded this spring is concerning, there is reason for optimism.

Birds Georgia continues to expand its efforts to reduce bird-building collisions through education, outreach, and direct action. One key initiative is our Lights Out Alert program, which notifies subscribers of nights with high migration activity and encourages building owners, businesses, and residents to turn off non-essential outdoor lighting overnight.

This spring, Lights Out Alert posts reached a record audience on social media, including one Facebook post that received more than 290,000 views. At the same time, the program experienced a 200% increase in subscribers compared to Spring 2025, helping expand awareness of the simple actions people can take to protect migrating birds.

Birds Georgia and Wild Nest Bird Rehab are also partnering on a new collision-prevention initiative made possible through a grant from the Georgia Ornithological Society. The grant will fund 175 Feather Friendly DIY Kits. Each kit can treat approximately 16 square feet of glass when installed using the recommended two-inch by two-inch spacing.

Beginning this fall, Wild Nest Bird Rehab will distribute these kits free of charge to homeowners who bring collision victims in for treatment and commit to making their windows safer for birds. Each kit will also include information about four simple actions people can take at home to reduce threats to birds. These actions address some of the most common causes of admission at Wild Nest and provide practical steps anyone can take to make a difference.

This work is especially important because an estimated 42% of bird-building collisions occur at residential buildings. By helping homeowners identify and address collision hazards, we can prevent countless bird deaths before they happen.

Every survey completed, every light switched off, and every window treated brings us closer to a future where birds can migrate safely through Georgia. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters, Project Safe Flight continues to transform data into action and make Georgia a safer place for birds.