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"This stadium isn't one for the birds.\n\nSupporting the long-held concerns of ornithologists and volunteers, a report on bird mortality at U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, shows the window-filled facility has been deadly to avian creatures.\n\nThe $1 billion stadium, which opened in 2016 and is hosting next season's Super Bowl, has approximately 200,000 square feet of reflective glass on its exterior. Critics of the stadium's design as far back as 2012 were worried birds would have trouble with the glass.\n\nA report prepared by the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis, Minnesota Citizens for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Friends of Roberts Bird Sanctuary record through an informal survey 74 injured birds and 60 deaths around the stadium during the fall 2016 migration season. The report says the highest mortality for a building in Minneapolis recorded 250 deaths over six migrations years, or 42 birds per season.\n\n\"We knew that the glass would be highly confusing to the birds,\" volunteer Jim Sharpsteen told City Pages. \"They see a reflection of a blue sky in the glass, they think it's a blue sky. They see reflections of trees, they think they can land in those reflections of trees. This confirmed what we already believed would be bad.\" \n\nAccording to the report, the figure \"significantly underestimates true mortality\" because it doesn't include birds found by maintenance staff, security and others. One cleaner estimated he \"vacuumed up at least two birds each week,\" and a security guard said he \"disposed of approximately 11 birds.\" Some birds may die after away from the stadium after hitting the glass.\n\nThe National Audobon Society has contracted with the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority and Vikings for a new bird collision study to be conducted this year through 2018. The Audobon Society suggested more frequent monitoring to get a more complete count, as well as increased access around the stadium.\n\nThe study won't bring any new information, said Ann Laughlin of the Audobon Society's Minneapolis chapter.\n\n\"Birds are dying because of the glass on the stadium,\" she told City Pages. \"The only thing that a new study does is buy the Vikings time .\"\n\nThe report offers retrofitting options that can make the stadium safer for birds, including patters on glass, window films, decals and netting."
<https://www.wgal.com/article/this-might-be-the-deadliest-building-for-birds-in-minnesota/8990678>