How do I prevent it?

You could get a sticky transfer of a hawk from the RSPB - this could be stuck somewhere on the window that doesn't interfere with your outlook, but the simple shape of the transfer would be just enough to deter a bird coming close.

Hi Celia,

I once saw some bird transfers on glass, a bit like Jabba suggested.

I don't know how effective they were, because it was somewhere I was visiting, but I just presumed that the stickers were there because of birds flying into the glass.

I reckon, it may be worth a try?

I once saw some bird transfers on glass, a bit like Jabba suggested.

I don't know how effective they were, because it was somewhere I was visiting, but I just presumed that the stickers were there because of birds flying into the glass.

My boyfriend's parents have these bird transfers on their windows, and apparently it is working (they used to have quite a few birds crashing into glass and now the incidentsseems to have reduced considerably).

Masha

Those little circular morrors that dangle vertically on a wire might help. If poss, hang on the outside - they'll move in the wind and catch reflections which may put incoming birds off. Or use other shiny danglies (ooh-er!)

This happens at my work. I hate it! I sit right near the window too. It's really distressing. Last time it happened the poor little bird was then torn apart my a magpie as soon as it hit the ground. I've asked them to get window stickers to try and cut down on the number of birds that fly into the windows, but so far not even had a response. We're right on a lake so there are a lot of birds around.

At my previous job the same thing used to happen so they had long white stickers put all around the glass building about 3/4 of the way up and although it didn't stop it happening it certainly seemed to cut it down.

Just an update on this that puzzles me.. two things really. I checked with neighbours and no-one else appears to have this problem but the biggest puzzle is this.
Curtains drawn, very little light outside, no light shining through...about 10.30 last night - loud thud and another bird hit my window, about ten minutes later a lighter thud which was presumably another one.
Now why would they hit it at night? Really puzzles me...

Hi Celia

I found this on the RSPB website which may help

How can I stop birds flying into my windows?

You can fix something to the outside of your windows to stop birds from flying into them. Birds fly into windows because the reflections confuse them. Some see the reflection of trees and the sky and don’t realise it is glass. By fixing something to the window you will reduce the reflection and birds are less likely to be confused.
Plastic stickers work well - RSPB reserve shops sell stickers in the shape of bird silhouettes, which are ideal.

Good Luck, Aly

TY for that Aly - I had heard of it and do have things on my window sills (although not stickers as haven't got them yet) to make it less reflective (fairly large plants and windchimes)
What I don't understand is why they flew into it at night?
Its a horrible sickening thump - hate seeing the imprint on the glass too although it does seem to just stun them and luckily there are no cats around here if they were on the ground for a while.

Its not as though I am on the top floor (there is one above me) so they misjudge when going to fly over - or on the end either...:(