Bird-Safe Glass to be made mandatory in new buildings

All new buildings in England could soon be required to feature bird-safe glass and other wildlife-friendly designs under proposals put forward in the House of Lords.

Peers from across the political spectrum – including Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and crossbenchers – have tabled amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill aimed at weaving animal welfare into the planning system.

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The suggested measures include mandatory bird-safe glazing, nesting boxes for swifts and bats, and “hedgehog highways” – small gaps in fences that allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens and green spaces. Bird-safe (or bird-friendly) glass is any glazing that’s designed so that birds can perceive it as a barrier, and avoid collisions (which often kill them or injure them). Typical glass (especially large panes, reflective, transparent facades etc.) confuse birds: they either reflect sky or trees (so the bird thinks it’s open air), or are transparent with foliage behind (so the bird flies through).

Supporters say the reforms could save millions of animals each year. Around 30 million birds are thought to die annually in the UK after flying into glass, often suffering slow deaths. Studies suggest bird-safe glass can cut fatalities by more than 90%. With Britain already a major producer of such glass, campaigners argue the changes could also provide a lift for domestic industry.

"Most of us have heard that sickening thump of a bird flying into a window, or found one on the ground after hitting glass. It's thought that this happens to around 30 million birds a year in the UK, and yet it is almost entirely preventable" - Baroness Freeman

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Examples of Bird-Safe glass

• UV-coating / UV-pattern: Birds can see ultraviolet light; humans mostly cannot. Patterns that reflect or filter UV on the outside surface help birds see glass without making it very obvious visually to people. 

• Etched or acid-etched patterns: Dots, lines or designs etched on the exterior surface of the outer pane. 

• Ceramic frits, silkscreened patterns: Pigmented dots or lines baked into or applied to the glass. These can both reduce reflectivity and provide visual markers. 

• Films or decals: Retrofitting existing glass by applying UV or visible-patterned films/decals on the exterior surface.

Swift-Boxes

Swift Boxes have long been in the media with campaigners urging the Government to make legislation regarding installations on new-buildings 

Some local authorities already have formal policies or guidance requiring or encouraging swift bricks/boxes in new development. Examples:

• Brighton & Hove: Guidance requires swift bricks or boxes (especially in buildings ≥ 5 m high). Specifies minimum numbers depending on scale (residential, commercial), rules on siting, groups of 3, etc.

• Other councils offer free nesting boxes or grants (for example, Leicestershire has a project installing boxes in suitable homes).

• Some counties also have community groups set up to encourage homeowners to install swift boxes on their properties.