Every summer brings birds and people together in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC).
One yearly challenge occurs when nesting barn swallows take up residence in forest preserve picnic shelters. Swallow nests in the upper rafters of the structures provide views of adorable baby birds but also result in swooping parent birds and many bird droppings in areas used by human visitors.
Looking for a way that birds and people could coexist, the FPDCC offered students from the Northwestern University Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science Design Thinking and Communication (DTC) the engineering challenge of designing bird (and people)-friendly picnic shelters.
Students worked with FPCC staff, professors, and wildlife biologists to understand the requirements. They proposed 4 different options to help birds and humans share the preserves while making sure protecting nesting birds was a priority.
One design involved a tarp barrier extended below nests in the shelter to block droppings. The tarps were spaced so they did not result in water accumulation and so they could be lowered and cleaned as needed. Another option was to block usual nesting areas while providing “nesting cubbies” in areas of the shelter away from picnic tables. Two additional designs proposed building alternate nesting shelters that birds could use exclusively instead of the main picnic area.
Educational components of any of these designs could include interpretive signage to help visitors understand and appreciate the birds that need their nesting areas protected.
All students reported a great experience putting their ideas and expertise towards such a worthwhile effort that promoted positive relationships between bird and human visitors. Their prototypes will be tested in future nesting seasons and hopefully provide an effective way for people and birds to socially distance while they both enjoy the benefits of the Forest Preserves of Cook County!
Below are some design plans provided by the students.
Thanks to: DTC Team members - Callista Sukohardjo, Johanna Kann, Leonardo Lopez, William He, Joshua Feist, Olivia Johansson, Aymen Lamsahel, Zoe Snead
Top Banner Image - Barn Swallows in Nest, Photo by Jessica Sipos