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In autumn 2025, thousands of migratory birds passed over the WASCZ campus. They paused here to feed and rest before continuing their journey south.
But not every bird was able to continue its journey.
Thud—
A bird struck the glass on campus. It may have been briefly stunned, or it may never have woken again.
That autumn, at least 26 bird-windowcollisions were recorded on campus. Twenty-four birds died, while only two survived with help and were able to take to the skies again.
These figures brought into focus an easily overlooked ecological crisis: bird-window collisions. Faced with the loss of these lives, WASCZ staff and students swiftly launched the Bird Glass Collision Prevention Project, seeking to answer one question: What can we do to protect the lives with whom we share the same skies?
01
When Campus Glass Becomes an “Invisible Trap” for Birds
Why can campus glass become an “invisible trap” for birds?
WASCZ is located beside West Taihu Lake, where abundant vegetation and favourable natural conditions provide migratory birds with places to feed and rest. However, a large, elevated glazed linkway between two buildings in the north-east of the campus presents a hidden danger. Its transparency and reflections of the surrounding environment can easily mislead birds into perceiving open space ahead. Ms Han, WASCZ biology teacher once witnessed a flock of siskins taking off from a tree, only for two flying at a lower height to collide directly with the glass.
In fact, Ms Han was not the only person to notice bird-window collisions. Before the project began, staff and students had spotted collisions in different parts of the campus and sought help from the Biology Department. These separate observations gradually revealed the scale of the problem, prompting Ms Han to take action and launch the Bird Glass Collision Prevention Project.
Last autumn, Ms Han took students to the site of these collisions to help them understand their causes and ecological impact. Beneath the linkway, scattered feathers and bird remains bore silent witness to the loss of life. The distressing sight made everyone realise that action to prevent bird collisions was urgently needed.
After seeking expert guidance from the Changzhou Nature Observation Group, Ms Han launched the first bird-collision prevention initiative, quickly attracting the support of more than 20 students. In their spare time, teachers, students and volunteers from the group applied 310 striped decals to areas with frequent collisions. Following a 5cm spacing pattern, they created over 1,800 visual markers across 62 glass panels, making the glass more visible to birds as a barrier. One week later, no further collisions had occurred in the treated area.
Ms Han understood that a one-off intervention would not resolve the problem entirely. Identifying patterns in bird collisions and uncovering further potential risks would require sustained, systematic observation. In 2021, she began participating in a nationwide bird-collision survey led by a team associated with Duke Kunshan University. Drawing on this experience, Ms Han planned to develop a more systematic and sustained programme of campus bird-collision monitoring and prevention, laying the groundwork for the Bird Glass Collision Prevention Project.
02
Science Meets Creativity: Staff and Students Taking Action to Protect Birds
In the spring of 2026, Ms Han established BIO-HUB, an ECA club, and following specialist training from the (National Anti-Bird Collisions Action Alliance at Duke Kunshan University, led students in a formal survey of bird-window collisions across the WASCZ campus.
Working in pairs or groups of three, students surveyed designated teaching buildings in their spare time, checking daily for and recording collision incidents. After monitoring five days a week for three consecutive weeks, they recorded multiple collisions during this year’s spring migration in areas where protective decals had not yet been installed.
This prompted the second phase of the prevention initiative. This time, Ms Han and her students wanted the decals not only to protect birds effectively, but also to be visually appealing and educational. They decided to design them themselves, combining scientific protection with creative expression.
Students divided the work according to their interests and strengths. Some drew bird designs by hand, while others converted the sketches into digital line drawings or used digital illustration tools to bring the designs together. Ms Han then liaised with an advertising company to add dots at the required spacing before production.
To ensure the decals were applied properly, students carefully cleaned the glass, removed residual marks and patiently completed each step according to their assigned roles. “No one complained. Everyone worked enthusiastically and was keen to help because they felt it was meaningful,” Ms Han recalled, impressed by the students’ focus and commitment.
More than 20 students, five teachers and 11 external volunteers from the Changzhou Nature Observation Group worked together to complete this second large-scale installation, applying protective decals to 70 glass panels across the campus. Soon, the campus glass featured a new collection of creative, bird-themed decals. Information about the prevention project, educational displays on common and endangered bird species, and illustrated stories about preventing bird collisions came together to form a visible line of defence for birdlife.
“While protecting birds, we also hope these decals will encourage people to pay more attention to the natural environment around them,” said J. Gao, a Grade 7 student involved in the project.
Follow-up monitoring showed that the intervention had been highly effective: no further bird-window collisions were recorded in the treated areas.
As temperatures began to fall and migratory birds prepared to travel once more, WASCZ launched a new round of bird-collision surveys in autumn 2026. Student participation grew substantially. Experienced members took the initiative in guiding newcomers, sharing survey methods and explaining data-submission procedures. Together, they extended monitoring to an increasing number of key buildings across the campus.
03
Protecting Birds, Bringing More People Together
Three initiatives are now under way across the WASCZ campus: bird-window collision surveys, building adaptations to prevent collisions, and a carcass-removal study to observe how birds killed in collisions decompose and disappear. From initial emergency measures to ongoing scientific research and building adaptations, the Bird Glass Collision Prevention Project is gradually bringing more people together.
From the outset, the Changzhou Nature Observation Group provided timely advice on prevention measures, helped apply protective decals and offered on-site support. The Shan Shui Conservation Center also provided practical guidance on building adaptations. During subsequent surveys, Duke Kunshan University National Anti-Bird Collisions Action Alliance offered specialist support and training, helping to make the monitoring more systematic. The school also partnered with Duke Kunshan University on a carcass-removal study, using infrared cameras to monitor changes in bird remains over time and deepen understanding of campus bird-window collisions through scientific research……
Professional support has given the project a strong foundation, but what has allowed it to grow is the increasing number of staff and students who have become aware of bird-window collisions and chosen to take action——
During decal installation, teachers passing by would often join the effort with their students. When anyone spotted a collision, they would promptly report it to Ms Han, providing further information for the survey. Meanwhile, the Engineering, Design & Technology teacher worked with students to build nest boxes for resident birds on campus, and birds have since moved into some of them……Different areas of knowledge and forms of action have come together, as concern for wildlife has become a shared commitment across the community. “It is because we all share the same respect for life that people connect with what we are doing,” Ms Han reflected.
In her view, the impact of an initiative depends not only on how many people are involved at the outset, but also on whether it can inspire others to take part. “My own efforts are limited. But if we can mobilise the whole school, everyone on campus can then influence their own families, workplaces and everyday environments. In this way, our impact can reach further and further,” Ms Han said.
04
A Genuine Lesson in Respect for Life
Ms Han and her students have many plans for the next stage of the project, including organising campus birdwatching activities and compiling a birdwatching guide and illustrated bird guide; preparing bird specimens and a bird-collision exhibition to raise awareness of the urgency and importance of the initiative; and creating bird-themed merchandise, such as paper sculptures, wood-carved ornaments, fridge magnets and badges, for charity sales to fund future prevention work……Excitingly, some of these items may soon feature at WASCZ International Family Day, offering more people an engaging way to learn about birds and join conservation efforts.
As a biology teacher, Ms Han sees this initiative as a genuine form of education in respect for life. As students recognise the fragility of life through bird collisions and turn their concern into action, they not only gain a sense of achievement from carrying out a complete project, but also reflect on deeper questions: How should we value life? How can we live in harmony with nature? What more can we do in the future?
Education is the awakening of one soul by another. This bird-collision prevention initiative embodies the character development at the heart of WASCZ’s holistic education. As students explore the world and develop their abilities, they are also encouraged to form their own values and become individuals who are knowledgeable, compassionate and responsible.
“More importantly, the emotional connection between teachers and students is fundamentally different from the knowledge provided by AI. Students see in their teachers not only knowledge, but also the power of leading by example. This can inspire them to ask themselves: ‘What kind of person do I want to become? What kind of character do I want to develop?’ This is the most valuable part of education,” Ms Han said.
Afterword
As we interviewed Ms Han and reviewed the project materials, we were encouraged to learn that awareness of bird-window collisions is growing across China, with practical measures being introduced in many places. Tencent’s Binhai Building in Shenzhen, for example, has taken the lead in retrofitting its buildings to prevent bird collisions and sharing its practical experience and solutions with other organisations. The Tencent Charity Foundation has also used digital platforms, including the Wildlife Friends Wechat mini programme, to connect research institutions such as Duke Kunshan University with volunteers across China, turning specialist bird-collision surveys into large-scale citizen science initiatives and helping to address gaps in the data. At universities, related research continues to advance. The College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University has launched initiatives exploring how buildings can be designed from the outset to better accommodate wildlife migration……
We cannot reverse every act of damage, but every effort can leave a glimmer of hope for tomorrow. May every observation, every act of care and every small action come together to make a meaningful difference in protecting life.
Special thanks to the teacher, student team, supporting organisations and everyone involved. Your passion and action have brought us together to protect life——
Supervising Teacher: Ms Han
Student Team: BIO-HUB
Grade 8: A. Fan、I. Du、J. Wu、R. Kuang、J. Gao、K. Zhang、R. Qu、Y. Jiang
Grade 9: J. Zhu、S. Wang、Y. Huang
Grade 10: C. Zhang、E. Sun、J. Liu、K. Yang、N. Li、P. Yang
Supported by:
Changzhou Nature Observation Group
Shanshui Conservation Centre
Duke Kunshan University National Anti-Bird Collisions Action Alliance
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