managing bird strike risk - skybrary.aero · strike history silver gulls were involved in 324...
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS
AIRPORT PRACTICE NOTE 6
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETSii
1 SILVER GULL 2
2 MASKED LAPWING 7
3 DUCK 12
4 RAPTORS 16
5 IBIS 22
6 GALAH 28
7 AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE 33
8 FERAL PIGEON 37
9 FLYING-FOX 42
10 BLACK KITE 47
11 PELICAN 50
12 MARTIN AND SWALLOW 54
13 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 58
LegislativeProtectionGiventoEachSpecies 58
LandUsePlanningNearAirports 59
BirdManagementatOff-airportSites 61
ManagingBirdsatLandfills 62
ReducingtheWaterAttraction 63
GrassManagement 64
ReportingWildlifeStrikes 65
UsingPyrotechnics 66
KnowingWhenandHowtoLethalControl 67
TypesofDispersalTools 68
WhatisSeparation-basedManagement 69
HowtoUseData 70
HealthandSafety:HandlingBiologicalRemains 71
GettingSpeciesIdentificationRight 72
DefiningaWildlifeStrike 73
PUBLISHEDSEPTEMBER2015
CON
TEN
TS
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 1
TheAustralianAirportsAssociation(AAA)isthenationalindustryvoiceforairportsinAustralia. TheAAArepresentstheinterestsofmorethan 260airportsandaerodromesAustraliawide–fromlocalcountrycommunitylandingstripstomajorinternationalgatewayairports.
Thereareafurther130corporatepartnersrepresentingaviationstakeholdersandorganisationsthatprovidegoodsandservicestotheairportsector.TheAAAfacilitatesco-operationamongallmemberairportsandtheirmanyandvariedpartnersinAustralianaviation,whilstcontributingtoanairtransportsystemthatissafe,secure,environmentallyresponsibleandefficientforthebenefitofallAustraliansandvisitors.
IfyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthisdocumentpleasecontacttheAAAon0262301110.
POBox404 WestBurleighQld4219 P:0755082046www.avisure.com
DatausedinthereportwascollectedandanalysedbytheAustralianTransportSafetyBureau(ATSB).
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN AIRPORTS ASSOCIATION
INTRODUCTION
1 SILVER GULL 2
2 MASKED LAPWING 7
3 DUCK 12
4 RAPTORS 16
5 IBIS 22
6 GALAH 28
7 AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE 33
8 FERAL PIGEON 37
9 FLYING-FOX 42
10 BLACK KITE 47
11 PELICAN 50
12 MARTIN AND SWALLOW 54
13 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 58
LegislativeProtectionGiventoEachSpecies 58
LandUsePlanningNearAirports 59
BirdManagementatOff-airportSites 61
ManagingBirdsatLandfills 62
ReducingtheWaterAttraction 63
GrassManagement 64
ReportingWildlifeStrikes 65
UsingPyrotechnics 66
KnowingWhenandHowtoLethalControl 67
TypesofDispersalTools 68
WhatisSeparation-basedManagement 69
HowtoUseData 70
HealthandSafety:HandlingBiologicalRemains 71
GettingSpeciesIdentificationRight 72
DefiningaWildlifeStrike 73
ThisAirportPracticeNotehasbeenpreparedonbehalfoftheAAAby:
TheAustralianAirportsAssociation(AAA)commissionedpreparationofthisAirportPracticeNotetoprovideaerodromeoperatorswithspeciesinformationfactsheetstoassistthemtomanagethewildlifehazards attheiraerodrome.ThespeciesinformationfactsheetswereoriginallypublishedinJune2004bytheAustralianTransportSafetyBureau(ATSB)asBirdInformation FactSheets.
TheAAAwaspromptedtoreviseandaddadditionalfactsheetsforsupplementaryspeciesbythereleaseoftheATSBAustralianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004–2013report.ThisreportlistedKitesandBat/FlyingFoxesashavingthelargestoverallnumberofstrikesinthe2012-2013reportingperiodrepresenting ademonstratedrisktosafeoperations.AsaresultofthisreporttheAAApartneredwithAvisureinconsultationwiththeATSBtoupdatetheexistingfactsheetsandcreatenewspeciesinformationfactsheetsfocusedonmanagingthestrikeriskofthesespecies atAustralianairports.
ThesenewandrevisedfactsheetsprovideairportmemberswithusefulinformationanddataregardingcommonwildlifespeciesaroundAustralianaerodromesandhowbesttomanagetheseanimals.Theup-to-datesuiteofspeciesinformationfactsheetswillprovideaerodromeoperatorswithaccesstodata,informationandmanagementtechniquesforthespeciesposingthegreatestrisktosafeaerodromeoperationsinAustralia.ItishopedthatthisdocumentwillbeaworthwhileandusefulassettoaerodromeoperatorsacrossAustraliaandtheAAAwouldliketoacknowledgethecontributionofAvisureandtheATSBinthedevelopmentofthisproject.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS2
1 SILVER GULL
BackgroundDespitetheirrelativelysmallsize,SilverGullspresent asignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» theirflockingbehaviouroftenresultsinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» theirflightcanbeunpredictable;and
» theycancongregateinverylargenumbers,particularlywherethereareabundantfood sources,andwhenseekingrefugefrominclementweather.
Strike History SilverGullswereinvolvedin324strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with27%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and5%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.AlthoughothergullspeciessuchasthePacificGullandBlack-tailedGullhavebeeninvolvedinstrikes,SilverGullsaccountfor92%ofallgullstrikesinAustralia1.
SilverGull Larus novaehollandiae
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
1 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 3
Gull Biology
Other Name Seagull.
Size Length40cm;wingspan94cm;weight265-315g.
Identification Adults:whitehead,neckandbody;whiteeyeswithredeye-ring;silvergreywingswithblacktips;red-orangebillandlegs.
Juveniles:blackeye;darkgrey-brownbillandlegs;brownishpatchnearear;mottledbrownongreywings.
Distribution Australia-wide,primarilycoastal.
Preferred Habitat Theycongregateinawiderangeofplacesincludingcoastlines,estuaries,beaches,parks,sportsfields,lakes,ponds,inundatedgrasslands,seafoodindustries,airports,sewerworks,wastelandfillsandavarietyofotherurbanhabitats.
Food Theyareopportunisticscavengerswhoconsumealmostanyfoodmatterincludinginvertebrates,smallfish,worms,insects,eggsandchicksofotherbirds,andhumanandagriculturalfoodwaste.
Behaviour Theyareahighlysocialspecieswhonest,roostandfeedinlargegroups,andwhocancommuteupto40kmfromtheirroostorbreedingcolonytotheirfeedingsites.
Theyaggressivelydefendfoodandareoftenobservedpilferingfromrubbishbinsorunattendedfooditems.
Breeding BreedingusuallyoccursbetweenAugustandFebruaryonoff-shoreislands,headlands,breakwaters,and/orcauseways;however,theyalsotonestonbuildingsandotherurbaninfrastructureincoastalenvironments.
Inareaswherefoodresourcesareabundantandpredatorpressureislow,breedingcanextendforuptoelevenmonths.
Onetothreeeggsarelaidinanestmadeofanythingfromrocksorseaweedtostemsfromnearbyplants.
Gulls on AirportsThemainattractionsforgullsatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Gullscanuseanypond,lake,creekordrainageandretentionsystem.Theyalsotakeadvantageoftemporarywaterafterrainfallthatpoolsingrounddepressions.
Hightides(maycausegullstomovefromadjacentcoastalhabitatssuchasestuariesormudflatstoairportstoloaf).
Food Asopportunisticscavengers,theywillfeedonanyhumanfoodwastefromuncontainedrubbishbins.
Wormsandotherinvertebratesarereadilyconsumed,particularlyafterrainfallwherewaterloggedsoilsmakethesepreyitemsmoreaccessible.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportscanbeusedasarefugeparticularlyduringinclementweather,whenthelowpredator-pressureishighlyadvantageous.Thewideopenflatspacesalsoallowgullstofeelsafebybeingabletoseethreatsfrompeopleandanimals
Transit Routes Gullscanover-flyairportsthatarelocatedbetweentheirforagingsitesandroosting/grounds,potentiallyconflictingwithaircraftflightpaths.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS4
Gull Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelongtermduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
SilverGullactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:
Dispersal Dispersegullsusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Portabledistresscallers(seerecommendation3below);
» Sirens;
» Lights;
» Stockwhips;and
» Vehicles.Recommendations
» Commencedispersalasgullsarrive.Gullsthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettle,particularlyduringinclementweather,canbedifficulttodisperse.
» Executearapidsequenceofactionstoreinforcethedispersalintent.
» Gullsoftenshowacuriositywhenexposedtogulldistresscalls,andthiscanbeusedtodrawgullsoutofcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Occasionallyreinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
» Makesurethatappropriatefirearmlicencesandlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
» Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
» Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
» Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
Trained Predators Theuseoftrainedanimalssuchasdogs,canbeemployedtodispersebirds.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisduetothe:
» Introductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Abilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations:
» Onlyusespeciallytrainedanimalswithexperiencedhandlers.
» Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
» Checkstate/territorypermitrequirements.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 5
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelp informtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytakeoff).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarninginintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforon-goinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoSilverGulls,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
ReducingSilverGullattractiontoairportsmayrequire:
Water Management Reducingaccesstowaterby:
» Divertingwatercoursesawayfromcriticalareassuchasrunwayundershootareas;
» Fillinggrounddepressionsthatholdwaterafterrain;and
» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheloafingattraction.
Food Management Limitingaccesstofoodby:
» Ensuringbinsareenclosedandemptiedregularly;
» Ensuringindustrialbinsarekeptclosedatalltimes;and
» Mowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.
HabitatModification Restrictingloafingareasby:
» Maintaininggrasslengthsupto300mm,thisrestrictsinvertebrateaccessaswellasreducingpredatordetection;
» Installinganti-perchingspikes,wiresornettingonbuildingsandotherinfrastructurewheregullsareknowntoloaf;and
» Removingislandsinthemiddleofwaterbodiestoeliminatesaferefugesfor gullstoretreat.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS6
Monitoring Transit Paths
SilverGullstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingandroostingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.Oftenacooperativeapproachwithrelevantstakeholderssuchasairports,airlines,wastelandfillmanagers,localcouncilsandstategovernmentenvironmentalorganisationsisrequired.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyinggullmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified;
» Theimplementationofmanagementprogramsforoff-airportlanduses,suchaslandfillmanagementorSilverGulleggandnestmanagement;and
» Gullstrikeassessmentsforlandusedevelopmentapplicationswithin13kmoftheairfield.
Off-airportGullManagementOff-airportsitescontributetogullstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,nestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Landusesclosetoairportsoftenincludesignificantgullattractantssuchaslandfills,seafoodprocessingfacilities,designatedfishcleaningstationsandsewageandtreatmentplants.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 7
2 MASKED LAPWING
BackgroundMaskedLapwingspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theycanformlargeflockspriortotheirbreedingseason,increasingthechanceofmultiple-strikeincidents;
» Theyestablishbreedingsitesandaggressivelydefendthemagainstpeople,otheranimals,andevenaircraft;and
» Theirpreferenceforshortgrass,forbreedingandforaging,makesmanyairportsparticularlyattractive.
Strike History MaskedLapwingswereinvolvedin804strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with16%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and4%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft2.Riskassessmentsoftenrankthisspeciesasmoderatetoveryhighriskduetotheirpresenceonairfields,particularlyincriticalaircraftmovementareassuchasflightstrips,andtheirhighlyterritorialbehaviour.
MaskedLapwing Vanellus miles
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
2 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS8
Masked Lapwing Biology
Other Names Plover,MaskedPlover,Spur-wingedPlover.
Size Length34cm;wingspan80cm;weight230-400g.
Identification Adults:blackcrownhead,lightbrownupperparts,whiteunderneath,andayellowfleshy‘mask’atthebaseoftheyellowbeak.Red/orangelegs.Theyhavebonyspursprotrudingfromtheirshoulders. Despitepopularmyth,thesespursarenotvenomous.
Juveniles:similartoadultswithdullercoloursandamottledpatternontheupperwings.
Distribution Throughoutalleasternstates,northernWestAustralia,easternSouthAustralia,andthroughoutmostoftheNorthernTerritory.
Preferred Habitat Withapreferenceforshortgrassandbarrenareas,theyareoftenobservedonsportsfields,airports,medianstrips,golfcourses,farmlandsandurbanparks.
Food Theirdietcomprisesarangeofinvertebratessuchasworms,millipedes,crustaceansandavarietyofinsects.Theyoccasionallyconsumeleaves,seeds,andevenfrogs.
Behaviour Justpriortothebreedingseasonstheycancongregateinlargeflocks,beforepairingofftoestablishbreedingsites,whichtheyaggressivelydefendagainstanyintruderforthedurationofthebreedingseason.Outsidethebreedingseason,individualsgenerallyremainwithinthesamearea,rarelymovingveryfarfromtheirestablishedterritory.
Breeding ThreetofoureggsarelaidinascrapeorshallowgroundnestfromJunetoOctoberinsouthernregionsandNovembertoMayinnorthernregions.
Masked Lapwings on AirportsThemainattractionsforMaskedLapwingsaredescribedbelow.
Grass/barrenground Asgroundnesters,shortgrassorbarren,rockygroundonairportsprovideanidealenvironmentforlapwings.Suchareasnotonlyprovideeasyaccesstofood,butprovidethebirdswithgreatlyenhancedpredatordetection(i.e.theycanseewhatiscoming).
Food Invertebratesarereadilyconsumed,particularlyafterrainfallwhenwaterloggedsoilsmakethesepreyitemsmoreaccessible,andfollowinggrassmowingevents.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-environment.
Lighting Airportlightingattractsinsects,inturnattractinginsectivorousbirds.Duringwarmertemperatures,lapwingshavebeenobservedforagingatnightonrunways,taxiwaysandaprons.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 9
Masked Lapwing Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsuseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Disperselapwingsusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range)
» Stockwhips
» Vehicles.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalassoonasdetected,particularyearlyinthebreedingseasonwhensitefidelitymaybelower.
2 BepersistentasMaskedLapwingsarenotoriouslydifficulttodisperseduetotheirterritorialnature.Repeateddispersalattemptsmayberequiredforasingleindividualtoensurethehazardismanaged.
3 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
4 Bewaryoftheiraggressivebehaviour,particularlywheneggsandchicksarepresent.Onlydisperseifthebirdspresentacriticalrisktoaircraftoperations.Theywillremainincloseproximitytothenest.Ifanestisinacriticalareaoftheairport,acquirepermittorelocate.
5 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,asdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Egg and Nest Management
Eggsandnestsareeasytoaccess,andtheirremovalcannotonlydisruptbreedingsuccess,butcandiminishsitefidelity(i.e.thedesiretokeepreturningtothesite).
Recommendations
1 Destroyeggsandnestsofnestingpairs(permitsrequired).
2 Bewaryoftheiraggressivebehaviour.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrol(shooting)mayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatthelethalcontrolpermitisvalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS10
Trained Predators Theuseoftrainedanimals,suchasbirdsofpreyanddogs,canbeemployedtodispersebirds.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:
» Theintroductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Theabilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations
1 Onlyusespeciallytrainedanimalswithexperiencedhandlers.
2 Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
3 Checkstateorterritorypermitrequirements.
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoMaskedLapwings,withaparticularfocusongrassmanagement.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Long Grass Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150to300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:
» Itcompromisestheabilityofthebirdstodetectpredators,particularlywhileforaging
» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfacethesoilismoredifficult.
Recommendations
1 Trialgrassheights.Notallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlengthandnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificpreferences.
2 Monitoringthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreaseisimportanttonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirdssuchaslapwings,buttodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.
3 Ensureairportmarkersandnavigationaldevicesarenotobscuredbylongergrass.
4 Consideroptionsotherthangrasswhereairportsarelocatedinsandyorlow-nutrientsoils.
CasestudyofheathreestablishmentatSunshineCoastAirport:
» Theycouldnotgrowdenseswardsofgrassontheirsandylow-nutrientsoils.
» Theyletthenaturalseed-bankofheathgrow.
» Thishadthesameimpactaslonggrassintermsofbirddeterrence,particularlyofhighriskspeciessuchasIbis.
» Establishedacrossalargeareaoftheairfield.
» AsmallpopulationoftheendangeredGroundParrotestablishedintheheathwhosestrikeriskwasassessedasverylow.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 11
Grass Mowing Thephysicalactionofmowinggrassdisturbsandkillsinsects.Airportsoftenobservebirdssuchaslapwingsfollowingmowerstotakeadvantageoftheenhancedforagingopportunity.Thiscanincreasethestrikerisk,particularlyingrassedareasclosetocriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Mowingshouldbetimedtoensuregrassseedheadsareregularlyremoved.Allowinggrassestoseedcancreateadditionalhazardsassociatedwithgrainivorousbirdsandrodents.
Recommendations
1 Ensuremowingequipmentiscapableofcuttinggrassatthedesiredheights.
2 Mowareasin,andadjacentto,criticalaircraftmovementareasoutsideofpeakaircraftmovementtimes.Considermowingatnight.
3 Donotallowgrasstogotoseed.
Off-airportMaskedLapwingManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoMaskedLapwingstrikeriskbyprovidingforagingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.MaskedLapwingsoftenloafatoff-airportlocationsduringdaylighthoursbeforemovingtoairportsatnighttoforage.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersflyingonandaroundairportsduringperiodsofdecreasedvisibilitytherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection,butspecificallyforMaskedLapwingcouldinvolveeggandnestmanagementand/orkeepingvegetationlong.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS12
3 DUCKS
BackgroundDuckscanpresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theirflockingbehaviouroftenresultsinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable,particularlywhendispersed;
» Theirrelativelylargebodymasscanresultinseriousdamagetoaircraft;and
» Theyareoftenactiveatduskwhenlow-lightconditionsmakeitdifficulttodetectthem.
ThePacificBlackDuckandAustralianWoodDuckarethefocusofthisinformationsheetbecausetheyareinvolvedinthemajorityofduckstrikesatAustralianairports;however,managementrecommendationsprovidedbelowwillassistthemanagementofotherduckspecies.
Strike History Duckswereinvolvedin232strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with29%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and12%ofstrikesresultinginaircraftdamage.AlthoughAustraliaishometotwentyduckspecies,PacificBlackDuckandAustralianWoodDuckaccountedfor22%ofallduckstrikesfrom2003to20143.Otherduckspecies involvedinstrikesincludePlumedWhistling-Duck andPink-earedDuck.
AustralianWoodDuck Chenonetta jubata
PacificBlackDuck Anas superciliosa
ImagesprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
3 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 13
Duck Biology
Name PacificBlackDuck Australian Wood Duck
Other Names Black,Brown,GreyorWildDuck. ManedDuck.
Size Length:55cm.
Wingspan:90cm.
Weight:1-1.1kg.
Length:50cm.
Wingspan:80cm.
Weight:800g.
Identification Adults:darkbrownfeatherswithpaleedges,givingamottledappearance.Adarkgreenandpurplesectionissometimesvisibleontherearofthewing.Thedarkheadhastwopalestripesaboveandbelowtheeye.CanbemistakenfortheintroducedMallard(Anas platyrhynchos).
Juveniles: similartotheadultsinplumage.
Adults:distinctivebrownhead(darkerinmales),palegreybody,withamottledthroatandchest.Therearetwoblackstripesextendingfromtheirshoulder.Onlymaleshaveasmallblackmanealongthebackofthehead.
Juveniles:palerthanadult. Underpartsarestreakedwithdarkbrown.Headandneckaregreyish-brownwithtwowhitestripesontheface.Billispalerthaninadultmale.
Distribution ThroughoutmostofAustralia. ThroughoutmostofAustralia.
Preferred Habitat Almostanyaquatichabitatincludingcreeks,dams,estuaries,ponds,lagoons,andareasofpondedwater.Urbanparks,gardens,golfcourses,andairportsareoftenused.
Grasslands,woodlands,wetlandsandanumberofgrassedurbanenvironmentssuchasairports,golfcourses,sportsfields,sewagetreatmentfarmsandparks.
Food Insects,molluscs,crustaceans,grassseedsandavarietyofaquaticvegetation.Theywillalsoscavengefoodfrompeopleinurbanareas.
Mostlygrassesandothergroundvegetation,buttheyalsoeatarangeofinsects.
Behaviour Usuallyobservedinsmallgroupsorpairs,theywillupendwhenonwatertoforageforfood.Gentlyslopingbanksofwetlandareasareoftenusedtoforageandrest.
Usuallyobservedinpairsinopengrasslandareas.
Breeding GenerallyoccursbetweenJuneandDecember,howevercanoccuroutsidethesetimesifconditionsarefavorable.Tento12eggsarelaidinthenestthatisconstructedintreehollowsorintall,densegroundvegetation.
OccursfromSeptembertoNovemberinsouthernpartsofAustralia,andisgenerallyresponsivetorainfallelsewhereacrossthecontinent.Nineto11eggsarelaidinanestthatisconstructedintreehollows.
Ducks on AirportsThemainattractionsforducksatairportsinclude:
Water Duckscanuseanypond,lake,creek,ordrainageandretentionsystem.Theyalsotakeadvantageoftemporarypoolsthatformafterrainfall.
Food Fooditemsarereadilyavailableingrasslandsandwaterwaysofairports.Theshortgrasslandareasthatarecommonlymaintainedonairportsprovideasafeforagingenvironmentwithhighpredatordetection.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-pressureenvironment.Overnightroostingbyducksonairfieldsiscommon.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS14
Duck Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Disperseducksusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Starterpistols;
» Stockwhips;and
» Vehicles.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Ducksthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.
2 Althoughgenerallyeasytodisperse,theymayseekshelterinaquaticvegetationifavailable,thereforerepeateddispersalattemptsmayberequiredforasingleindividualtoensurethehazardismanaged.
3 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
4 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementsasdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.Ducksoftentrytoreturntothesamespotfromwhichtheyweredispersedandmaymakealargeloopovertheairportafteradispersalattempt.
5 Bevigilanttoactivity,particularlyflightactivity,duringduskperiods.
6 Ducksoftenuseairportstoroost,thereforedispersalatnightshouldbeundertaken.
7 Dispersalmustcontinueasducksmayreturnormovetomorehazardouslocations.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodisperseducks.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisduetothe:
» Introductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Abilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations
1 Onlyusespeciallytrainedanimalswithexperiencedhandlers.
2 Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
3 Checkstatepermitrequirements.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 15
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Hazardnotificationsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossibleinordertoensureaircrewarewellinformed.Itisrecommendedthathazardnotificationsinclude:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
Allbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoducks,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Reducingtheduckattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Water Management Reduceaccesstowaterby:
» Divertingwatercoursesawayfromcriticalareassuchasrunwayundershootareas;
» Fillinggrounddepressionsthatholdwaterafterrain;
» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheloafingattraction;
» Installingundergroundpipestoeliminatesurfacedrainagechannels;
» Installnettingorwiresoverwaterwaystorestrictaccess;and
» Placingfloatationdevices,suchassemi-permeablemembranes,ontoretentionpondstorestrictaccesstowater
HabitatModification Restrictloafingandforagingareasby:
» Maintaininggrasslengthsupto300mmasthisrestrictsinvertebrateavailabilityaswellasreducingpredatordetection;and
» Removingislandsinthemiddleofwaterbodiesandreedsandotheraquaticvegetationtoeliminatesaferefugesforducks.
Off-airportDuckManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoduckstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,loafingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports,particularlyatandaroundwatersourcesandespeciallyinpublicparkswherebirdfeedingoccurs.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS16
4 RAPTORS
BackgroundRaptors4presentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Somespecieshavearelativelylargebodymass thatcanresultinseriousdamagetoaircraft;
» Theirforagingandthermalingbehaviourscan putthemincriticalflightpathsmoreoftenthanotherbirds;and
» Asapexpredators,raptorsdonotgenerally expendenergydetectingandavoidingpredatorsasotherbirdsdo,whichoftenmakesthemlessawareofapproachingaircraft.
Strike History Raptorswereinvolvedin1,443strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with7%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and 7%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.Species-specificstriketrendsaresummarisedin thefollowingtable5.
BrownFalcon Falco berigora
Wedge-tailedEagle Aquila audax
NankeenKestrel Falco cenchroides
WhistlingKite Haliastur sphenurus
ImagesprovidedbyandBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
4 AseparateInformationSheethasbeencreatedforBlackKite 5 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 17
Raptor Strikes (2003 – 2014)
Species Total Strikes MultipleStrikes Damaging Strikes
UnidentifiedRaptor 711 6% 8%
Nankeen Kestrel 568 4% 1%
Black Kite 308 7% 8%
UnidentifiedKite 210 7% 5%
Whistling Kite 93 12% 5%
Brown Falcon 26 0% 8%
Wedge-tailedEagle 20 5% 10%
Black-shoulderedKite 15 0% 0%
Brahminy Kite 13 0% 8%
Australian Hobby 10 0% 10%
Peregrine Falcon 9 11% 0%
White-belliedSea-Eagle 9 0% 11%
Swamp Harrier 8 0% 0%
Collared Sparrowhawk 4 0% 0%
Osprey 4 0% 0%
Brown Goshawk 3 33% 0%
UnidentifiedGoshawk 3 0% 0%
LittleEagle 2 0% 0%
Grey Goshawk 2 0% 0%
Red Goshawk 1 0% 0%
Thisinformationsheetdescribestheecologyandbehaviourofthefourmoststruckidentifiedspecies.Managementrecommendationsprovidedwillassistthemanagementofallraptorspecies.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS18
Raptor Biology
Name Nankeen Kestrel Whistling Kite Brown Falcon Wedge-tailedEagle
OtherName/s AustralianKestrel,Hoverer,MosquitoHawk,Sparrowhawk
WhistlingEagle,Sea-Eagle,CarrionHawk,EagleHawk
BrownHawk Eaglehawk,BoldVulture,MountainEagle
Size Length:30-35cm
Wingspan:60-80cm
Weight:165-185g
Length:50-60cm
Wingspan:120-145cm
Weight:700-850g
Length:45-55cm
Wingspan:95-115cm
Weight:630-900g
Length:81-106cm
Wingspan:182-232cm
Weight:2-5.7kg
Identification Adults:smallestAustralianfalcon.Distinctiverufous/chestnutplumageonbackandupperwings,wingtipscharcoal,mostlywhiteunderneathwithsomeblackflecking.Wingslongandnarrow,wingtipslevelwithtipoftailwhenperched.
Juveniles:similartoadults.
Adults:medium-sizedraptorwithalight-brownheadandunderparts.Therestofthebodyisdark-lightstreakedmottledbrowns.Theunderwingsshowadistinctivepale‘M’shapewhenopen.
Juveniles:similartoadultsbutslightlydarkerabove.
Adults:lightanddarkbrowns,mottledandmottledstreaks.Underpartsarelighter.Theheadisred-brown,withblackstreaks.Beaksarelightgrey/blue
Juveniles:similartoadultsbutwithayellowishcolourationontheface,throatandneck.
Adults:largestAustralianraptor.Dark,long,broadandplank-likewings,longprotrudingheadanddistinctivediamond-shapedtail.Large,powerfulbeak.Mainlysooty-blackplumagewithsomevariationinbufftobrownplumagearoundheadandinner,upperwings.
Juveniles:deepchestnuttodarkbrownplumagewithbufffleckingmid-wing.
Distribution ThroughoutAustralia. ThroughoutAustralia. ThroughoutAustralia. ThroughoutAustralia.
Preferred Habitat Opengrasslandsandwoodlands,croplandsandlowshrublands.
Openorpartially-woodedareas,typicallynearwater.Oftenobservednearfarmlands,abattoirs,landfills,etc.
Opengrasslandsandagriculturalareas.
Observedfrommountaintocoastalenvironments,inwooded,forestedareas,andopenareas.
Food Mice,smallbirds,reptiles,insects.
Theyareopportunistichunterswhopreferlivefoodbutwillscavengeforcarrion.Fooditemsincludefish,carrion,smallbirdsandarangeofreptiles,insects,smallmammalsandfrogs.
Smallmammals,insects,reptiles,andoccasionallysmallbirds.
Rabbitsandharespreferred,andwilltakelargelizards,birds>100gmandmammals>500gm.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 19
Name Nankeen Kestrel Whistling Kite Brown Falcon Wedge-tailedEagle
Behaviour Usuallyobservedindividuallyorinthevicinityofotherkestrels.Theyperchconspicuouslyandhoverintowindwhilehunting.Theyarediurnalandareoftenattractedtofiresandplaguesofmice.
Theyusethermalsandupdraftstoforageandhunt.
Usuallyobservedalone,oftenobservedperchingtolookforfoodbutwilloccasionallyhovertohunt.
Anaerialhunterwithextendedperiodsofsoaringandthermalling.Preyisusuallytakenfromtheground.Theywillloafonthegroundandinshallowponds.
Breeding Establishnestsintreehollows,caves,andonbuildingledges.Threetoseveneggsarelaidinlatewinter,withmultiplebroodsoccurringwhenconditionsaregood.
Monogamouspairsestablishnestsintheforksoftrees,usuallybesidewatercoursesorwaterways.Breedingisopportunistic,althoughgenerallyextendsbetweenJulytoJanuaryinthesouth,andMarchtoOctoberinthenorth.Twotothreeeggsarelaid.
Oftenusesnestsconstructedbyotherfalconsbutcanconstructtheirownnestsinforksoftrees,andoccasionallyinopentreehollows.TwotosixeggsarelaidduringthebreedingseasonwhichextendsfromJunetoNovemberinthesouth,andNovembertoAprilinthenorth.
Establishedbreedingpairsareresidential,withseveralnestingsitesestablishedbutonlyoneusedperseason.Nestsarelargeandconspicuous,andtheywillroostonthegroundwhennotreesavailable.ThebreedingseasonusuallyextendsfromApriltoSeptember.
Raptors on AirportsThemainattractionsforraptorsatairportsaredescribedbelow.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetoraptorsinaridanddryenvironments.
Food Airportsofferidealforagingopportunitywithfewvisualimpediments,particularlyinareasofshortgrass.Animalremainsairside(derivedfromastrike,bylethalcontrolactivityornaturalcauses)attractsscavengingraptors.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsofferampleperchingopportunitiesonfences,buildingsandsigns.
Transit Routes Forairportsthatarelocatedincloseproximitytoraptorattractantssuchaslandfills,abattoirs,agriculturalfieldsetc.,regulardailytransitstoaccessthesesitescancauseraptorstocrosstheairfieldandcriticalaircraftmovementareas.Thermalscreatedoversealedareas,suchasrunways,attractraptorstoaircraftflightpathsforextendedperiods.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS20
Raptor Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Disperseraptorsusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Lights;
» Stockwhips;
» Presence(getoutofvehicleandpointatthebird/sandyellatthem);and
» Vehicles(bydrivingunderneathforagingraptors).
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalasraptorsarrive.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,asdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
Nest Management Ifnestsarelocatedintreeslocatedlandsideorairside,liaisewithlocalenvironmentauthoritiestocoordinatenestremovalandrelocation.
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationswithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 21
Passive Management
Allbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoraptors,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Reducingtheraptorattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Food Management Removeavailabilityoffooditemsby:
» Collectinganddisposingofallanimalremainslocatedairsideorlandside;
» Ensuringrubbishbinsdonotoverflowandareregularlyemptied;and
» Ensuringvertebratepestmanagementprogramsareinplaceinareaswhererodentsandrabbit/haresmaybepresent.
Perch Management Removeallunnecessarysigns,fencesandpostswhereraptorsareknowntoperch,andinstallanti-perchingspikesonstructuresthatcannotberemoved(e.g.lights).
Monitoring Transit Paths
Raptorsregularlytransitthroughaircraftflightpathsenroutetofeedingareasandattimesremainincriticalareasduetotheavailabilityoffoodandthermalsatairports.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyingraptormovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.
Off-airportRaptorManagementOff-airportsitespredominantlycontributetoraptorstrikeriskbyprovidingforagingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchaslandfills,abattoirs,piggeries,andareaswhereroadkillorfiresmaybepresent.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS22
5 IBIS
BackgroundAustralianWhiteIbisandStraw-neckedIbispresent asignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theirflockingbehaviouroftenresultsinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» Strikesinvolvingibishaveahigherpotentialfordamagebecauseoftheirhighbodymass;and
» Theurbanisationofibis,particularlyAustralianWhiteIbis,oftencreatessignificantcoloniesincloseproximitytoairports.
Strike History Collectively,AustralianWhiteIbisandStraw-neckedIbiswereinvolvedin135strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014.Ofthese,11%ofstrikesinvolvedmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and15%ofstrikesresultedindamagetotheaircraft6.
6 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
Ibis Threskiornis Molucca
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 23
Ibis Biology
Name Australian White Ibis Straw-neckedIbis
OtherName/s SacredIbis,WhiteIbis. FarmersFriend,Dry-weatherbird,Black-backedIbis.
Size Length:70cm
Wingspan:118cm
Weight:1.7-2.5kg(male)/1.4-1.9kg(female)
Length:70cm
Wingspan:110cm
Weight:1.1-1.5kg
Identification Adults:whiteneckandbody,withblackatthetipofthetailfeathers.Theblackheadisbare,andthelongblackbillcurvesdownward.Whenbreeding,thebackoftheheadandunderwingsshowpink/redskin.
Juveniles:similartoadultsbutwithashorterstraighterbillandafeatheredneckandbackofthehead.
Adults:whiteunderneath,withiridescentblack-brown-green-purpleontheupperparts.Theheadandlongdownwardcurvedbillisblack,withyellowishstraw-likefeathersdownthefrontoftheneck.
Juveniles:similartoadultsbutwithashorterstraighterbillandafeatheredhead.Theneckfeathersarewhite,andtheylacktheiridescenceontheupperparts.
Distribution WidespreadthroughouteasternAustralia,acrossnortherncoastalregions,andinthesouth-westerncornerofWestAustralia.
Widespreadthroughoutthecontinentexcludingthecentralaridregions,andsouthernTasmania.
Preferred Habitat Theyarenaturallydistributedthroughoutshelteredmarineareasandterrestrialwetlandsystems.However,theiradaptabilityallowsthemtoinhabitarangeofurbanenvironmentsincludingairports,sportsfields,parks,andlandfills.
Theypreferopengrasslands,andarecommonlyobservedinpasturesandfarmland.AlthoughlessobservedinurbanenvironmentsthanAustralianWhiteIbis,theyareseenatairports,parks,sportsfields,andlandfills.
Food Althoughtheyhaveapreferenceforsmallaquaticanimalssuchasfish,frogsandinvertebrates,theirdietishighlyadaptableandtheywillconsumeanyorganicmatterfromanyfoodsource,includinglandfillsandrubbishbins.
Theyconsumeawiderangeofsmallanimalsandinvertebrates,includingfreshwatercrayfish,frogs,fish,insectsandsnails.
Behaviour Theyarehighlysociablebirdsthatoftenforageingroupsandnestinlargecommunalroosts.Breedingcoloniescancomprisethousandsofindividuals.Theytendtorepeatedlyusethesamehabitatstofeedandroost.Asgroundforagers,theyonlyusetreestoroost,nestandseekrefuge.
Theywillfeedandroostinlargegroups.Breedingcoloniescancomprisethousandsofindividuals.Theyareseasonalmigrantsandaregenerallyresponsivetorainfall.
Breeding ThebreedingseasonusuallyextendsbetweenJuneandJanuary,butvariationsoccurindifferentpartsofAustralia.Uptofoureggsarelaidinasticknestthatisestablishedonbranches,invines,palms,oronthegroundifprotectedfrompredatorsandhumans.
Breedingoccursinresponsetorainfallandoccursinwetlandsonislandsandflattenedreedbeds.Uptofiveeggsarelaid.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS24
Ibis on AirportsThemainattractionsforibisatairportsaredescribedbelow.
Grass ShortgrassonairportsprovidesanidealenvironmentforIbis.Shortgrassnotonlyallowseasyaccesstofood,butprovidesthebirdswithgreatlyenhancedpredatordetection.
Food Invertebratesarereadilyconsumed,particularlyafterrainfallwhenwaterloggedsoilsmakethesepreyitemsmoreaccessible,andfollowinggrassmowingevents.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-environment.
Transit Routes Ibiscanflyoverairportsthatarelocatedbetweentheirforagingsitesandroosts,potentiallyconflictingwithaircraftflightpaths.
CasestudyinvolvingAustrailanWhiteIbisstrikeatGoldCoastkeypoints:
» ChristmasEve1995,aQantasAirbusingestedanibis.
» Estimatesof$8million(enginereplacement,downtimeandthecostofchangingschedules).
» AnAustralianWhiteIbisbreedingsitelocatedundertheflightpathlessthan4kmfromtheairportsupportedmorethan3000ibis(largestfortheregion)andakeyfeedingsitelessthan20kmsouthofairport(birdsweretransitingtoandfromeachday).
» Amulti-stakeholdermanagementgroupwascreated(airportandothers)andanAustralianWhiteIbisprogramimplemented.Programincludedfoodreduction,breedingrestriction,andpubliceducation.
» Theregionspopulation,hasbeenmaintainedataroundhalfthepeakandIbiscountsattheairportdeclined75%.
Ibis Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 25
Dispersal Ibisaregenerallywaryofhumansandvehicles,andattemptingtodispersethemtooaggressivelymayresultoneormoreIbisflyingirrationallyandnotinthedirectionyouintend.Dispersingaflockaggressivelymayresultintheflocksplinteringwithindividualsandsmallergroupsflyinginseveraldirections.
ApproachIbisgradually,stoppingatintervalswhentheIbisisalertandmovingagainwhentheIbisforages.Thistechniqueiscalledthestalkandchasemethodandmimicsanaturalpredator,withtheIbiseventuallydispersingwhenitfeelsitisunderthreat.
DisperseIbisusing:
» Thestalkandchasemethod;
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Portabledistresscallers;
» Sirens;
» Lights;
» Stockwhips;
» Starterpistols;
» Armwave;
» Lasers;and
» Vehicles.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalassoonasdetected,particularlyearlyinthebreedingseasonwhensitefidelitymaybelower.
2 Repeateddispersalattemptsmayberequiredforasingleindividualtoensurethehazardismanaged.
3 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
4 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS26
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards
Hazardnotificationsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossibleinordertoensureaircrewarewellinformed.Itisrecommendedthathazardnotificationsinclude:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoIbis,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Reducingtheibisattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Grass Management Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150and300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:
» Itcompromisestheabilityofthebirdstodetectpredators,particularlywhileforaging;and
» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfaceofthesoilismoredifficult.
Recommendations
1 Trialvariousgrassheightsasnotallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.
2 Monitorthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreasetonotonlyassesstheimpactofgrasslandbirds,suchasibis,butalsotodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.
3 Ensureairportmarkersandnavigationaldevicesarenotobscuredbylongergrass.
4 Consideroptionsotherthangrasswhereairportsarelocatedinsandyorlow-nutrientsoils.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 27
Thephysicalactionofgrassmowingdisturbsandkillsinsects.Airportsoftenobservebirds,suchasIbis,followingmowerstotakeadvantageofenhancedforagingopportunity.Thiscanincreasethestrikerisk,particularlyingrassedareasclosetocriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Mowingshouldbetimedtoensuregrassseedheadsareregularlyremoved.Allowinggrassestoseedcancreateadditionalhazardsassociatedwithgranivorousbirdsandrodents.
Recommendations
1 Ensuremowingequipmentiscapableofcuttinggrassasthedesiredheights.
2 Mowareasadjacenttocriticalaircraftmovementareasoutsideofpeakaircraftmovementtimes.Considermowingatnight.
3 Donotallowgrasstogotoseed.
Water Management Reduceaccesstowaterby:
» Divertingwatercoursesawayfromcriticalareassuchasrunwayundershootareas;
» Fillinggrounddepressionsthatholdwaterafterrain;and
» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheloafingattraction.
Food Management Limitaccesstofoodby:
» Ensuringbinsareenclosedandemptiedregularly;
» Ensuringrubbishskipsarekeptclosedatalltimes;and
» Mowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.
HabitatModification Restrictloafingareasby:
» Maintaininggrasslengthsupto300mm,thisrestrictsinvertebrateaccessaswellasreducingpredatordetection;and
» Removingislandsinthemiddleofwaterbodiestoeliminatesaferefugesforibistoretreat.
Monitoring Transit Paths
AustralianWhiteIbistransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingandroostingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» IdentifyingIbismovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.
Off-airportIbisManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoIbisstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,nestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchaslandfills,seafoodprocessingfacilities,designatedfishcleaningstations,wastetransferstations,publicfeedingareas,parks,sportsfieldsandsewageandwatertreatmentplants.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS28
6 GALAH
Background
Despitetheirrelativelysmallsize,Galahspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theyflockandareofteninvolvedinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable;
» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbersparticularlywherethereareabundantfoodsources;and
» Theirpreferenceforforagingonshortgrassmakesmanyairportsattractive.
Strike History Galahswereinvolvedin826strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with37%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike)and6%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft7.
Galah Eolophus roseicapilla
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
7 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 29
Galah Biology
Other Names Rose-breastedCockatoo,PinkCockatoo,GreyCockatoo
Size Length34-38cm;wingspan75cm;weight330g.
Identification Adults:pinkandwhitewithgreywingsandtail.Theheadcrestiswhite.Themaleeyeisbrown,andthefemaleeyeisred.
Juveniles:similartoadultsbutwithgreyishchest,andagreyeye-ring.
Distribution WidespreadthroughoutAustraliaexcludingdenseforestedareasanddesertregions.
Preferred Habitat Theyhaveapreferenceforopenareaswithaccesstofoodandwater.Inurbanareastheyareoftenobservedalongroadsidesandwatercourses,onsportsfields,golfcourses,airportsandothershort-grassedareas.Theycanflockinlargenumbersinagriculturalareaswherethereisaccesstograinsandothercropsandinaridareasnearwatersources.
Food Theyaregroundforagersthatgenerallyfeedonseeds,butwillconsumeavarietyoforganicmaterial.
Behaviour Galahsaregregariousandsocial,usuallytransiting,foragingandroostinginlargegroups.Flightcanbeerraticwhentheyaredisturbed.Adultstendtoremaininthesameterritory,butyoungindividualstendtoroam.
Breeding OccursbetweenJulyandDecemberinsouthernAustralia,andFebruarytoJuneinthenorth.Treehollowsareusedfornests,anduptofiveeggsarelaid.
Galahs on AirportsThemainattractionsforGalahsatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.ThesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetoGalahsinaridanddryenvironments.
Food Grasslandsonairportsprovideidealforagewithanabundanceofseeds,particularlyonairportswheregrassheightismaintainedshort(lessthan200mm).
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-pressureenvironment.Airportsalsoofferampleperchingopportunitiesonfences,buildingsandsigns.
Transit Routes ForairportsthatarelocatedincloseproximitytoGalahattractantssuchassportsfields,pastures,grainsilosetc.,Galahsmayregularlytransitoperationalairspacetoaccessthesesites.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS30
Galah Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Galahactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:
Dispersal DisperseGalahsusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Lights;
» Stockwhips;
» Starterpistols;
» Armwave;
» Lasers;
» In-vehicleradiowithspeakers(generatecracklingsoundsusingtheradio);and
» Vehicles.
Recommendations:
1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Galahsthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementsasdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendation
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
5 WhereflocksofGalahsarepresent,lethalcontrolanindividualwhointeractsleastwiththeotherGalahsasitislesslikelytobemated.MatedGalahsoftenremainwiththeirdeceasedmatesandmayresultinanincreasedstrikerisk.
6 ConductnecropsytodeterminewhichplantsareattractingGalahstotheairport.
Trained Predators TheuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodisperseGalahs.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:
» Theintroductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Theabilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations
1 Onlyusespeciallytrainedanimalswithexperiencedhandlers.
2 Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
3 Checkstatepermitrequirements.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 31
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Galah Management
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoGalahs,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
ReducingtheGalahattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Long Grass Maintaingrassheightsbetween150and300mm.Thisstrategyhasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyatairportsallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:
» Itcompromisestheabilityofthebirdstodetectpredators,particularlywhileforaging;and
» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfacethesoilismoredifficult.
Recommendations
1 Trialgrassheights.Notallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.
2 Monitoringthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreaseisimportanttonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchasGalahs,buttodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.
3 Ensureairportmarkersandnavigationaldevicesarenotobscuredbylongergrass.
4 Consideroptionsotherthangrasswhereairportsarelocatedinsandyorlow-nutrientsoils.
Water Management Reduceaccesstowaterby:
» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheabilityofGalahstoaccessthewaterfromthedrain’sedge;and
» Removinganyunnecessarywater,includingtherepairofleakingtapsandotherleakingwaterdevices.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS32
Monitoring Transit Paths
Galahstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» IdentifyingGalahmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.
Off-airportGalahManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoGalahstrikeriskbyprovidingforagingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchassportsfields,pasturesandotheragriculturalfields,grainstorageandhandlingfacilitiesandgolfcourses.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 33
7 AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE
BackgroundDespitetheirrelativelysmallsize,AustralianMagpiespresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theycanestablishfeedingterritoriesonairportsifleftundisturbed;
» Theyaggressivelydefendbreedingterritoriesonairfields;
» Theycancongregateinforagingflocksonairportswherethegrassisshortandfooditemsareabundant;and
» Newindividualstotheairport,particularlyjuveniles,havepooravoidanceofaircraftduetotheirinexperienceandnaivety.
Strike History AustralianMagpieswereinvolvedin548strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with6%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and4%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft8.
AustralianMagpie Cracticus tibicen
ImageprovidedbyandBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
8 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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Australian Magpie Biology
Other Names Black-backedMagpie,AustralasianMagpie,White-backedMagpie.
Size Length38-44cm;wingspan22-30cm;weight200-390g.
Identification Adults:blackandwhitebird,whosepatternsvarywithsub-species.Thebillisgreyishwithapointedblacktip.
Juveniles:colourationisdullerandmottled,andthegreybillisshorter.
Distribution ThroughoutAustralia,excludingthearidregionsofWestAustralia,thenorthernregionsoftheNorthernTerritory,andpartsofCapeYork.
Preferred Habitat Openareaswithtalltrees.Inurbanareastheyarecommonlyobservedonairports,sportsfields,golfcourses,andinorchards,parksandgardens.
Food Primarilyinsects,ofwhichtheyconsumeawidevariety,occasionallyseedsandmeat.
Behaviour Outsidetheirbreedingseasontheyaregenerallyobservedinsmallgroups,withpairsestablishingbreedingterritoriesofwhichtheyaggressivelydefendagainstanyintruder. TheaggressivebehaviorismostintensebetweenSeptemberandOctoberwhenthenest isfullofeggsorchicks.
Breeding UsuallycommencesinJuneandfinishesinDecember.Uptothreeeggsarelaidinanestmadeofsticksandgrassandpositionedintreeforksupto15mabovetheground.
Australian Magpie on AirportsThemainattractionsforAustralianMagpieatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Grass Shortgrassonairportsprovidesanidealenvironmentformagpies.Shortgrassnotonlyprovideseasyaccesstofood,butprovidesthebirdswithgreatlyenhancedpredatordetection.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.
Food Invertebratesarereadilyconsumed,particularlyafterrainfallwhenwaterloggedsoilsmakethesepreyitemsmoreaccessible,andfollowinggrassmowingevents.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-environment.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 35
Australian Magpie Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Dispersemagpiesusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Portabledistresscallers;
» Sirens;
» Lights;
» Stockwhip;
» Starterpistols;and
» Vehicles.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalastheyarriveinacriticalareaoftheairfieldoruponarrivalofnewmagpiestotheairport.Magpiesthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.Oncemagpieshaveestablishedterritories,theycanbeverydifficulttodisperse,requiringpersistenceandpatience.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendation
1 Donotlethalcontrolallmagpiesasresidentpopulationsareoftenawareofaircrafthazardsandcanquicklylearnwhereyouallowthemtoforagebasedonyourdispersalattempts.Lethalcontrolallmagpieswillresultinnewmagpiescomingtotheairfieldwhichcanincreasetheriskofmagpiestrike.
2 Makesureappropriatefirearmlicenceandlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
3 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
4 Targetjuvenilemagpiesorstubbornindividualsthatdonotrespondtodispersaltechniques.
5 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
6 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS36
Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodispersemagpies.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:
» Theintroductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Theabilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations
1 Onlyusespeciallytraineddogswithexperiencedhandlers.
2 Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
3 Checkstate/territorypermitrequirements.
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttotheAustralianMagpie,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
ReducingtheAustralianMagpieattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Long Grass Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150and300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:
» Itcompromisestheabilityofthebirdstodetectpredators,particularlywhileforaging;and
» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfaceofthesoilismoredifficult.
Recommendations
1 Trialgrassheightsasnotallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.
2 Monitorthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreasetonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchasmagpies,butalsotodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustraliaMagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.
3 Ensureairportmarkersandnavigationaldevicesarenotobscuredbylongergrass.
4 Consideroptionsotherthangrasswhereairportsarelocatedinsandyorlow-nutrientsoils.
Nest Management Reducethepossibilityofmagpiesestablishingbreedingterritorieson-airportby:
» Regularlymonitoringairsidetreesandinfrastructurefornests;and
» Inconsultationandcorporationwithlocalorstateenvironmentbodies,removenests.
Food Management Reduceaccesstofoodbymowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.
HabitatModification Restrictloafingareasby:
» Maintaininggrasslengthsupto300mm,thisrestrictsinvertebrateaccessaswellasreducingpredatordetection;and
» Installinganti-perchingspikes,wiresornettingonbuildingsandotherinfrastructurewheremagpiesareknowntoperch.
Off-airportAustralianMagpieManagementOff-airportsitescontributetomagpiestrikeriskbyprovidingforagingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchassportsfields,pasturesandotheragriculturalsites,golfcoursesandparksandgardens.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 37
8 FERAL PIGEON
Background
Despitetheirrelativelysmallsize,FeralPigeonspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theirflockingbehaviouroftenresultsinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable;and
» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbers,particularlywherethereareabundant foodsources.
Strike History FeralPigeonswereinvolvedin183strikes9inAustraliabetween2003and2014,with27%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and4%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.Althoughotherpigeonanddovespecies,suchastheCrestedPigeonandSpottedTurtleDovehavebeeninvolvedinstrikes,FeralPigeonsaccountfor92%ofallpigeonanddovestrikesinAustralia10.
9 Includesstrikereportsthatwhere‘unidentifiedpigeon’wasidentified
10 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
FeralPigeon Columba livia
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS38
Feral Pigeon Biology
Other Names RockDove,DomesticPigeon,HomingPigeon.
Size Length:31-34cm;wingspan:63-70cm;weight:308g.
Identification Adults:therearemanycolourvariationsthatincludevariousformsofgrey,white,black,red,brown,blueandgreen.However,Australianpopulationstendtobemostlyblue-greywithandgreen-purplemetallicsheenontheneck.Theunder-wingandrumpiswhite,andthereisalightblue-greycolorationontheupperwing.
Juveniles:similartoadults,howeverthecolourisgenerallyduller,andthemetallicsheenisundeveloped.
Distribution ThroughoutAustralia,concentratedinurbanareas.
Preferred Habitat Innaturalhabitats,theyprefercoastalcliffs,howeverinurbanenvironmentstheyusestructuresthatemulatecliffenvironmentsincludingvarioustypesofbuildingsandbridges,aswellashangarsandotherairportinfrastructure.
Food Seedsfromvariousplants,aswellasorganicfoodwaste.
Behaviour Theyareusuallyobservedinflocksperchingandforaginginurbanenvironments.
Breeding Nestsarecreatedthroughouttheirdistributiononbuildingsandunderbridges.Twoeggsaregenerallylaid,andtimeofbreedingvariesconsiderably.
Feral Pigeon on AirportsThemainattractionsforFeralPigeonatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetopigeonsinaridanddryenvironments.
Food Grasslandsonairportprovideidealforagewithanabundanceofseeds,particularlyonairportswheregrassheightismaintainedshort(lessthan200mm).
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsareusedtoloafandrestinalowpredator-environment.Airportsalsoofferampleperchingopportunitiesonfences,buildingsandsigns.Overnightroostsareoftenestablishedinairportinfrastructuresuchashangars,terminalbuildingsandlightingstructures.
Transit Routes Forairportsthatarelocatedincloseproximitytopigeonattractantssuchassportsfields,pasturesandgrainsilos,regulardailytransitstoaccessthesesitescanseelargeflockscrossingtheairfieldandcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 39
Feral Pigeon Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Dispersepigeonsusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Starterpistols;
» Sirens;
» Lights;
» Lasers;and
» Stockwhips.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Pigeonsthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards;and
» Reducetheresidentpopulation/sofpigeonstoanominatedthreshold.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodispersepigeons.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:
» Theintroductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and
» Theabilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.
Recommendations
1 Onlyusespeciallytrainedanimalswithexperiencedhandlers.
2 Alwaysmaintainstrongsituationalawarenessrelativetoaircraftmovements.
3 Checkstate/territorypermitrequirements.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS40
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
» Communicationwithlocalracingpigeonorganisations
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoFeralPigeon,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
ReducingtheFeralPigeonattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Long Grass Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150and300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:
» Itcompromisestheabilityofthebirdstodetectpredators,particularlywhileforaging;and
» Accessingseedsatthesurfaceofthesoilismoredifficult.
Recommendations
1 Trialvariousgrassheightsasnotallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.
2 Monitorthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreasetonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchaspigeons,butalsotodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.
3 Ensureairportmarkersandnavigationaldevicesarenotobscuredbylongergrass.
4 Consideroptionsotherthangrasswhereairportsarelocatedinsandyorlow-nutrientsoils.
5 Makesureseedheadsareregularlyremoved.
6 Inareasthatrequiregrassre-establishment(i.e.followingairsidegroundworks),considernettingtheareatorestrictaccessbypigeons,orincreasethelevelofactivedispersaluntilthegrasshasestablished.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 41
Built Environment Modification
Airportfacilitiesandstructurescanprovideidealperching,nestingandroostinghabitatforpigeons,especiallyinandaroundhangarsandinfrequentlyusedairsidebuilding.Pigeonscanbedeterredorexcludedfromsuchhabitatsby:
» Installingpigeonexclusiondevicessuchasnettingandspikes;and
» Ensuringallhangardoorsareclosedandhangarssealedwhennotrequiredtobeopentopreventpigeonaccess.
Water Management Reduceaccesstowaterby:
» Eliminatingaccesstoartificialwatersourcessuchasfountains;and
» Removeanyunnecessarywater,includingtherepairofleakingtapsandotherleakingwaterdevices.
Monitoring Transit Paths
Pigeonstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyingpigeonmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Communicatingstrikerisktopigeonracinggroupsinthevicinityofairports;and
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.
Off-airportFeralPigeonManagementOff-airportsitescontributetopigeonstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,nestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Knownpigeonforagingattractantsincludesportsfields,pasturesandotheragriculturalfields,andgrainstorageandhandlingfacilities,whilebuildingssuchashangars,warehousesandfactoriesmayprovidenestingandroostinghabitat.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.FeralPigeonshavealonghistoryofbeingkeptandreleasedforsport.Flocksofbetween50and100,andsometimesmore,havebeenrecordedtransitingoperationalairspaceatairportsaroundAustralia.Thisisusuallyobservedwhenthereleaseanddestinationsitesareoneithersideofanairport.Effectivemanagementoftheracingpigeonstrikeriskrequiresconsultationamongstthepigeonkeepers,localcouncilsandtheairport. Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS42
9 FLYING-FOXES
Background
Flying-foxes,alsoknownasfruitbats,presentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecausethey:
» Cantransitoverairportsingroupsofhundredsorthousandsofindividuals;
» Havearelativelyhighbodymassfortheirsize;
» Arenocturnal,makingvisualdetectionbyaircrewandairportsafetypersonneldifficult;and
» Aregenerallyunresponsivetoconventionalactivedispersaltools.
Strike History Flying-foxeswereinvolvedin923strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with8%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and6%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.Grey-headedFlying-foxwasidentifiedinlessthan1%ofincidents,withallremainingincidentsreportedasunidentified flying-fox11.
Flying-foxes Pteropus species
Photographer:ChrisTzarosfromBirdsBushandBeyond.
11 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 43
Flying-foxBiology
Name Grey-headedFlying-fox
BlackFlying-fox SpectacledFlying-fox LittleRedFlying-fox
Other Names FruitBat FruitBat FruitBat LittleFruitBat
Size Length:23-28cm
Wingspan:1morgreater
Weight:600-1000g
Length:23-28cm
Wingspan:1morgreater
Weight:500-1000g
Length:22-24cm
Wingspan:1morgreater
Weight:400-1000g
Length:12-20cm
Wingspan:upto1m
Weight:280-530g
Identification Adults:distinctiveorangefurthatencirclestheneck.Restofbodyisgreyish,withalightgreyhead.Legsarefurred.
Juveniles:similartoadults.
Adults:blackcolourationallover,withachocolate-browncolouronthebackoftheneck.Legsareunfurred.
Juveniles:similartoadults.
Adults:distinctivestraw-coloredfuraroundtheeye,givingthe‘spectacled’appearance.Therestofthebodyisdark,withalightcolourationaroundtheshouldersandneck.
Juveniles:similartoadults.
Adults:smallestofallfourspecies.Colourationisreddish-brown,andthebrownwingsaresemi-transparent. Legsareunfurred.
Juveniles:similartoadults.
Distribution ThroughouteasternAustraliaincludingVictoria,NewSouthWalesandsouthernQueensland.
ThroughoutnorthernandeasternAustralia.
RestrictedtoparticularregionsofnorthQueenslandandPapuaNewGuinea.
Mostwidelydistributedflying-foxfromSharkBayinWesternAustraliaaroundthenortherncoastofAustralia,Qeensand,andNewSouthWalesuntilnorthernVictoria.
Highlynomadicinresponsetoresourceavailability.
Preferred Habitat Varied,includingrainforest,mangroves,swamps,wetanddrysclerophyllforestsandcultivatedareas.
Tropicalandsubtropicalforestsandwoodlands.
Rainforests,mangroves,paperbarkforests.
Widerangefromsemi-aridareastotropicalrainforests,temperateforestsandswamps.
Food Nectarandfruit. Nectarandfruit. Nectarandfruit. Nectarandfruit.
Behaviour Departsroostsite(camp)atdusktoforage.Returningatanytimepriortodawn.
Departsroostsite(camp)atdusktoforage.Returningatanytimepriortodawn.
Departsroostsite(camp)atdusktoforage.Returningatanytimepriortodawn.
Departsroostsite(camp)atdusktoforage.Returningatanytimepriortodawn.
Breeding MatingoccursJanuarytoMarch.
YoungarebornSeptembertoOctober.
MatingoccursMarchtoApril.
YoungarebornDecembertoFebruary.
MatingoccursMarchtoMay.
YoungarebornOctobertoDecember.
MatingoccursNovembertoJanuary.
YoungarebornApriltoMay.
11 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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Flying-foxonAirportsAirportshavehabitatsthatattractsflying-foxes,particularlynaturalareasandlandscapes.Theriskhowever,isusallyrelatedtoflying-foxestransitingairportairspaceandaircraftflightpathswhilstenroutetoandfromforagingandroostinggrounds.Theexistenceoffruitingandfloweringtreesonairports,eitherairsideorlandside,canresultinthepresenceofflying-foxesonairportsduringnighttime.
Flying-foxManagement
ActiveManagement
Successfulflying-foxmanagementrequiresafocusondetectingthehazardandcommunicatingthedetailstoallstakeholders.
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
Becauseflying-foxstrikerisktendstobeprimarilyfromover-flights,flying-foxmanagementstrategiesshouldfocusondetectingthehazard,communicatingthedetailstoallstakeholders,andmonitoringthehazard.Anassessmentoftheflying-foxhazardshouldbecompletedbyaqualifiedandexperiencedpersonwhocanrecommendairport-specificmodifications.
Reducingtheflying-foxattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Monitoring Transit ActivityandPredictingRisks
Anticipatepotentialperiodsofincreasedflying-foxactivityby:
» Establishingongoingandlong-termmonitoringofflying-foxtransitactivityovertheairporttodetermineanypredictableandrepeatabletrendsintermsoftime,heightandexpectedhazardlongevity;and
» Establishingongoingandlong-termmonitoringofflying-foxroostpopulationdynamicstopredictperiodsofhighandlowactivity.Roostpopulationsoftenswellandsubsidethroughouttheyearinresponsetoseasonandfoodavailability,andinsomeinstancesroostscanbetemporarilyabandonedaltogether.Thereforeunderstandingroosttrendscanbetterequipanairporttopredictperiodsofpossiblehighorlowrisk.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 45
Strike avoidance Dailyriskperiodsforflying-foxesareoftenconcentratedaroundduskduringtheirregularcampfly-out.Knowingthetimeofacuteriskscanbeusedtoavoidstrikesby:
» Schedulingflightsoutsideofknownriskperiods;
» Delayingtake-offandlandinguntiltheacuteriskperiodhaspassed;and
» Executingshortorfulllengthdepartures,whereappropriate,basedontheknownheightandlocationoftheflying-foxes.
Resource Management
Identifyandremoveallpotentialfruitingandfloweringtreesandshrubsfromairsideandlandsidelandscapingthatmaybeusedbyflying-foxes.Particularplantspeciestoexcludeandavoid,include(butarenotrestrictedto):
» Gumtrees;
» Paperbarksandbottle-brushes;
» Banskia;
» Grevilleas;
» Hakeas;
» Figs;
» Lillipilliesandvariousotherrainforesttrees;
» Palms;and
» Fruittreessuchasmango,pawpawandvariousstone-fruittrees.
Roost Management Insomeinstances,managingorrelocatingaflying-foxroostthatissituatedincloseproximitytoanairportcanhelpmitigatetherisk.Thisisaseriousandcomplicatedactionthatrequires:
» Consultationwithlocalenvironmentauthoritieswhoarechargedwiththeresponsibilityofassessingandfacilitatinganyflying-foxroostrelocationworksinAustralia;
» Anassessmentoftherisktodetermineiftheroostisinfactcontributingahighrisk (e.g.monitoringmayrevealthatthepopulationalwaysdepartsinadirectionawayfromtheairport,thereforecontributingzerorisk);and
» Anassessmentoftherisktodetermineifanewroostcouldbeestablishedbytherelocatedpopulationthatmaycontributeamoreseriousriskcomparedtotheiroriginalroostlocation.
Off-airportFlying-foxManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoflying-foxstrikeriskbyprovidingroostingorforagingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Roostingsites(roost)canholdhundredsofthousandsofflying-foxesthatmayleavetheroostwithinashortperiodoftimeeachday.Foragingsitesincludeareasofnativeandattractivevegetationthatmaybevisitedbyindividualsorgroupsofflying-foxesthroughoutthenight.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS46
10 BLACK KITE
Background
BlackKitespresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Oftheirrelativelylargebodymassthatcanresultinseriousdamagetoaircraft;
» Theirforagingandthermalingbehaviourscanputthemincriticalflightpathsmoreoftenthanotherbirds;and
» Asavianapexpredators,kitesdonotgenerallyexpendenergydetectingandavoidingpredatorsasotherbirdsdo,whichoftenmakesthemlessawareofapproachingaircraft.
Strike History BlackKiteswereinvolvedin518strikes12inAustraliabetween2003and2014,with7%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and7%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.Althoughotherkitespecies,suchastheWhistlingKite,Black-shoulderedKiteandBrahminyKitehavebeeninvolvedinstrikes,BlackKitesaccountfor81%ofallkitestrikesinAustralia13.
12 Includesreportswith‘unidentifiedkite’
13 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
BlackKite Milvus migrans
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 47
Black Kite Biology
Other Names Fork-tailedKite,Kite-Hawk,KimberlyHawk,AlliedKite.
Size Length45-55cm;wingspan120-140cm;weight585g.
Identification Adults:grey-brownheadandneck.Theupperbodyisdarkbrown,andthetailismediumbrown.Theunderbodyismediumtodarkreddishbrown,withdarkbrownstreaks.Thebeakisblack,andthelegsandfeetareyellow.Thetailisforked,whichdistinguishesitfromtheWhistlingKitewhosecolorationandsizeareverysimilar,butwhosetailiswedged,notforkedliketheBlackKite
Juveniles:colourationissimilartoadults,butpalerandwithamoreprominentblackeye-stripe.
Distribution ThroughouttropicalandtemperateregionsofAustralia.Theyarefoundinallrainfallzones,butnotinthedriestregions.
Preferred habitat Foundinwoodedareas,opencountyandurbanareas,particularlylandfills,abattoirs,cattleyards,piggeries,aswellassitesrecentlydisturbedbyfireoragriculturalactivitythatexposessoil(e.g.ploughingactivity).
Food Theyareopportunistichuntersandoftenscavenge.Fooditemsincludefish,householdrubbish,carrion,smallbirdsandarangeofreptiles,insects,smallmammalsandfrogs.
Behaviour Theyarearelativelygregariousraptor,oftenseeninlargeflocksabove.Theyusethermalsandupdraftstoforageandhunt.
Breeding Theyestablishnestsintheforksoftrees,usuallybesidewatercoursesorwaterways.Breedingcanbeopportunistic,butgenerallyoccursfromJunetoDecemberandtwotofoureggsarelaid.
Black Kite on AirportsThemainattractionsforBlackKiteatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetokitesinaridanddryenvironments.
Food Airportsofferidealforagingopportunitieswithfewvisualimpediments,particularlyinareasofshortgrass.Animalremainsairside(eitherderivedfromastrikeorbylethalcontrolactivity)attractsscavengingkites.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportsofferampleperchingopportunitiesonfences,buildingsandsigns.
Transit Routes Forairportsthatarelocatedincloseproximitytokiteattractantssuchaslandfills,abattoirs,agriculturalfieldsetc.,regulardailytransitstoaccessthesesitescancausekitestocrosstheairfieldandcriticalaircraftmovementareas.Thethermalsthatarecreatedoversealedareas,suchasrunways,cancausekitestoremaininaircraftflightpathsforextendedperiods.
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Black Kite Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
BlackKiteactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:
Dispersal Dispersekitesusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Stockwhips;
» Lights;
» Presence(getoutofvehicleandpointatthebird/sandyellatthem);and
» Vehicles(bydrivingunderneathforagingkites).
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalaskitesarrive.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendations
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
Nest Management Ifnestsarelocatedintreeslocatedlandsideorairside,liaisewithlocalenvironmentauthoritiestocoordinatenestremovalandrelocation.
CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofhazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 49
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoBlackKite,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
ReducingtheBlackKiteattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Food Management Removeavailabilityoffooditemsby:
» Collectinganddisposingofallanimalremainslocatedairsideorlandside;
» Ensuringrubbishbinsdonotoverflowandareregularlyemptied;
» Ensuringvertebratepestmanagementprogramsareinplaceinareaswhererodentsandrabbits/haresattractkites;
» AvoidburningvegetationasthisattractsBlackKites;and
» Considermowingatnighttoreducefoodavailability.
Perch Management Removeallunnecessarysigns,fencesandpostswherekitesareknowntoperch,andinstallanti-perchingspikesonstructuresthatcannotberemoved(e.g.lights).
Monitoring Movements
Kitesregularlytransitthroughaircraftflightpathsenroutetofeedingareasandattimesremainincriticalareasduetotheavailabilityoffoodandthermalsatairports.Kitesoftenappearinlargeflockswithinashortperiodoftimeandcandispersefromtheareaasquickly.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyingkitemovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Long-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.
Off-airportBlackKiteManagementOff-airportsitescontributetokitestrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,loafingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Foragingsitessuchaslandfills,abattoirs,piggeries,andareaswithroadkillorwithrecentlydisturbedsoilsaresignificantattractantstoBlackKites.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.Liasewithoff-airportlandmanagerstoreducefoodavailabilityandlimitburningvegetation.Landfilloperationsinparticularneedtolimitfoodsupply.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS50
11 AUSTRALIAN PELICAN
Background
Althoughnotregularlystruck,pelicanspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theirverylargebodymassoftenresultsinaircraftdamage;
» TheyhavebeenimplicatedintheonlyrecordedfatalbirdstrikeinAustralia;and
» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbers,particularlywherethereareabundantfoodsources,andwhenseekingrefugefrominclementweather.
Strike History Pelicanswereinvolvedin18strikesinAustralia,between2003and2014,duringwhichtimenostrikesinvolvedmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and44%ofstrikesresultedindamagetotheaircraft.AfatalbirdstrikeoccurredinSeptember1977withaRAAFF-111thatwasconductinglow-levelexercisesatEvansHeadinnorthernNSW.Theaircraftstruckthreepelicans,withonepenetratingthecockpit.Thepilotandco-pilotwereunabletosafelyeject,andbothwerekilledintheincident.
AustralianPelican Pelecanus conspicillatus
ImageprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
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Pelican Biology
Other Name SpectacledPelican.
Size Length1.6-1.8m;wingspan2.3-2.5m;weight4-6.8kg.
Identification Adults:Predominantlywhitebirdwithablacktail,andblackcolorationontheunderanduppersidesofthewings.Thelargepalebillhasafleshypouch,andtheshortlegsarepaleblue-grey.ThisistheonlypelicanspeciestoinhabitAustralia.
Juveniles:Similartoadults,buttheblackcolourationobservedonadultsisbrownonjuveniles
Distribution WidespreadthroughouttheentireAustraliancoastalregion,andthroughoutvarioustemporaryandpermanentinlandwetlandsystems.Theyaredispersiveinresponsetorainfall,andaregenerallyabsentthroughoutdryaridregions.
Preferred Habitat Terrestrialwetlands,estuarineandmarineenvironments,lakes,reservoirs,rivers,billabongs,andthroughoutinlandwetlandsystems,includinglargeephemeralsystems.Theygenerallypreferlargeopenareasofwaterthatarefreeofvegetation.Inurbanareastheycanbeobservedinriversandestuaries,onlakesinparksandgardens,andtheycongregateinareaswherefoodsourcesareabundantsuchasrecreationalfishcleaningareas,seafoodprocessingoperationsandlandfills.
Food Theyfeedonfishpredominantly,butalsoscavengeforavarietyoffooditemsincludinghumanrubbishatlandfills,andvariousinsectsandcrustaceans.Theyhavealsobeenrecordedoccasionallytakingducksandsmalldogs.
Behaviour Theyareoftenobservedthermalingatvariousheights,andhavebeenrecordedthermalingat3,000m.Theyareoftenobservedloafingonshores,mudflats,andlandfills,ofteninlargegroups,particularlywherefoodisabundantandaccessible.
Breeding Theybreedcoloniallyonsandyislands,offshoreislandsandinlandlakesandwetlandsystemswherevegetationissparse.Thereisnowell-definedbreedingseasonandisthoughttobehighlyresponsivetoperiodsofrainfall,droughtandwater-levels.
Pelican on AirportsThemainattractionsforAustralianPelicansatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Mostwatersystemsonairportsaretoosmalltoattractpelicans.However,largerretentionpondsatairportscanprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetopelicansinaridanddryenvironments.
Food Airportsdonotprovideasignificantsourceoffoodforpelicans,exceptwherelargepermanentwaterfeaturessupportaquaticanimalssuchasfishandcrustaceans,orwhereoverflowingrubbishreceptacles(i.e.binsandskips)provideaccesstofoodscraps.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Airportscanbeusedasarefugeduringinclementweather,whenthelowpredator-pressureishighlyadvantageous.
Transit Routes Forairportsthatarelocatedincloseproximitytopelicanattractantssuchaslandfills,lakes,estuariesandrivers,regulardailytransitstoaccessthesesitesmayresultinpelicanscrossingtheairfieldandcriticalaircraftmovementareas.Thermalscreatedoversealedareas,suchasrunways,maycausepelicanstoremaininaircraftflightpathsforextendedperiods.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS52
Australian Pelican Management
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Pelicanactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:
Dispersal Dispersepelicansusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);
» Sirens;
» Stockwhips;and
» Vehicles.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalaspelicansarrive.
2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.
3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictableandslow.
Lethal Control Occasionallethalcontrolmayberequiredinorderto:
» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and
» Removeimmediateandserioushazards.
Recommendation
1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatthelethalcontrolpermitisvalid.
2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.
3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.
4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.
CommunicatingHazards
Pelicanspresentthegreatesthazardtoaircraftoperationswhentheyareairborneduringtransitorthermaling.Pelicansfrequentlythermalonfine,cooldayswithfewclouds.Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 53
Passive Management
AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttotheAustralianPelican,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Reducingthepelicanattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Water Management Reduceaccesstolarge,permanentwaterbodiesby:
» Installingnettingorwiresoverwaterwaystorestrictaccess;and
» Placingfloatationdevices,suchassemi-permeablemembranes,ontoretentionpondstorestrictaccesstowater
HabitatModification » Restrictloafingareasbyremovingislandswithinwaterbodiestoeliminatesaferefugesforpelicanstoretreat.
Monitoring Transit Paths
Pelicanstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyingpelicanmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Off-airportAustralianPelicanManagementOff-airportsitescontributetopelicanstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,loafingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportsintheformofwaterbodiessuchaslakes,canals,estuariesandwaterretentionbasins.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection..
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS54
12 MARTINS AND SWALLOWS
BackgroundDespitetheirsmallsize,martinsandswallowspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:
» Theirflockingbehaviouroftenresultsinmultiplestrikeincidents;
» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable;
» Theyaregenerallyunresponsivetoactivedispersalattempts;and
» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbers,particularlywheretherearetemporary,orongoing,insectinfestations.
Strike History Martinsandswallowswereinvolvedin187strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with11%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),andnostrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.FairyMartinswereidentifiedin52%ofallmartinandswallowstrikes,followedbyWelcomeSwallows(42%),TreeMartins(4%),andBarnSwallows(3%)14.
ThefocusofthisinformationsheetisFairyMartinPetrochelidon arielandWelcomeSwallowHirundo neoxena;however,mostofthemanagementactionsandrecommendationscanalsobeappliedforTreeMartinsandBarnSwallows.
FairyMartin Petrochelidon ariel
WelcomeSwallow Hirundo neoxena
ImagesprovidedbyBirdLifeAustralia Photographer:AndrewSilcocks
14 datasource:Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013(AR-2014-075)
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MartinandSwallowBiology
Name FairyMartin WelcomeSwallow
OtherName/s Bottle,ClifforlandSwallow. Australian,HouseorPacificSwallow.
Size Length:12cm.
Wingspan:22cm.
Weight:9-14g.
Length:16cm.
Wingspan:28cm.
Weight:9-20g.
Identification Adults:smallMartinwithashorttail.Broadwingsextendjustbeyondthetail.Theforeheadisarufous-orangecolourthatisfaintlymottledandstreakedontheupperforehead.Theupperpartsandwingsareblackish-grey,andtheundersideismostlywhite.
Juveniles:similartoadults,butwithadullercolouration.
Adults:metallicbluecolourationontheupperpartsandtopofthehead,witharufous-orangeforehead,throatandupperchest.Theundersideisapalegreycolourandthelongtailisforkedwitharowofwhitedotsoneachfeather.
Juveniles:similartoadults,butwithadullercolouration.
Distribution WidespreadthroughoutAustralia,excludingthemostaridregions,withonlyafewobservationsinTasmania.
WidespreadthroughoutmostofAustraliaexcludingthedryinteriorsofWestAustralia,theNorthernTerritoryandwesternQueensland.Theyaregenerallynotobservedalongthenorthandnorth-westerncoastalareas.
Preferred Habitat Generallyoccursinairspaceaboveopenareassuchasgrassland,shrubland,woodland,andmodifiedgrassedareasincludingpasturesandairfields.Oftenobservednearwater.
Generallyoccursinairspaceaboveopenareassuchasgrassland,shrubland,woodland,andmodifiedgrassedareasincludingpasturesandairfields.Oftenobservednearwater.
Food Insects. Insects.
Behaviour Individualsandpopulationscanbemigratory,part-migratoryorresidents.Onairports,theyaregenerallyobservedinflocksaeriallyforaging,perchedonfencesorloafingonsealedareassuchasrunwaysandtaxiways.
Theyarepartial-migrants,butinmanyareaspopulationsareresidents.Onairports,theyaregenerallyobservedinflocksaeriallyforaging,perchedonfencesorloafingonsealedareassuchasrunwaysandtaxiways.
Breeding Theynestcoloniallyandconstructmudnestsincaves,rockcrevices,underbuildingeaves,underbridgesandsimilarstructures.BreedingseasongenerallyextendsfromAugusttoJanuary,andfourtofiveeggsarelaid.
Theopennestisconstructedofmudandgrass,andusuallyattachedtoaverticalrockstructureorbuilding.Breedingcanoccuratanytime,butmainlyfromAugusttoDecember,andthreetofiveeggsarelaid.
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MartinsandSwallowsonAirportsThemainattractionsformartinsandswallowsatairportsaredetailedbelow.
Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetomartinsandswallowsinaridanddryenvironments,withampleinsectsaroundthewatersourceforforage.
Food Martinandswallowactivityisgenerallyproportionaltoaerialinsectactivity,whichfluctuatesinresponsetorainfall,airpressure,andgrassmowingactivity.
LoafingAreas/Shelter Fencingandotherairportinfrastructureisusedtorestandperchduringforagingperiods.Martinsandswallowsfrequentlyloafonsealedsurfacessuchasrunwaysandtaxiwaystorestandgainheat,especiallyincolderclimates.
Nesting Airportscanprovidesuitableareastoconstructnests,particularlydrainsanddrainculverts,aswellasbuildingeavesandsimilarstructures.Airportnestsitesareutilisedduetotheavailablestructure,aswellastheavailabilityofnearbyfoodandwater.
MartinandSwallowManagement
ActiveManagement
Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).
Dispersal Althoughgenerallyunresponsivetoactivedispersal,attemptscanbemadeusing:
» Pyrotechnics(shortandlong-range);and
» Gascannons.
Recommendations
1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.
Short-termEnvironmental Modification
Martinandswallowbehaviouriscommonlyrelatedtoairportenvironmentswhichcanbetemporarilymodifiedtoremovetheattraction.
Recommendations
1 Wheremartinsandswallowsareforagingonairborneinsectsinaspecificarea,useafinemist(e.g.fromanairsidefireresponsevehicle)topreventtheinsectsfromcontinuingflight,therebyremovingtheforagingattraction.Thisstrategymayneedtoberepeatedpriortoeachaircraftmovementwherethehazardpersists.
2 Wetsealedsurfacestocoolthemandmakethemlessattractivetoloafingmartinsandswallows.
Nest Removal Removenestsastheyarebeingconstructed(permitsrequired)priortothelayingofeggsoremergenceofchicks.Ifchicksarepresent,waituntilthechicksarefullyfledgedbeforedestroyingthenests.
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CommunicatingHazards
Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.delaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:
» Directcommunicationwithaircrew;
» DirectcommunicationwithATC;
» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports;
» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;and
» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards.
Allhazardnotificationoptionsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossible,including:
» Species;
» Locationofthehazardontheairfield;
» Heightofthehazard;
» Timeofthehazard;and
» Recommendedactions.
Passive Management
Allbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttomartinsandswallows,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.
Reducingthemartinandswallowattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.
Food Management Limitaccesstofoodbymowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.
HabitatModification Restrictnestingareasby:
» Installingexclusiondevicesondrainculverts;and
» Installinganti-perchingspikes,wiresornettingonbuildingsandotherinfrastructurewheremartinsandswallowsareknowntoperchandnest.
Monitoring Movements
Martinsandswallowsthatregularlyforageinortransitthroughmovementareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Short-termmanagementoptionsmayinclude:
» Implementingaregularandstandardisedmonitoringprogram;
» Identifyingmartinandswallowmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and
» Communicatingidentifiedhazardstoairlinesandaircraftoperators.
Off-airportMartinandSwallowManagementOff-airportsitescontributetomartinandswallowstrikeriskbyprovidingnestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedattheendoftheAdditionalInformationsection.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS58
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION GIVEN TO EACH SPECIES
Species EPBC1 FFG2 TSC3 TSP4 NCA5 WCA6 TPWC7 NCA8 NPW9
Silver Gull - - - - - - - - -
Masked Lapwing - - - - - - - - -
PacificBlackDuck - - - - - - - - -
Wood Duck - - - - - - - - -
Nankeen Kestrel - - - - - - - - -
Whistling Kite - - - - - - - - -
Brown Falcon - - - - - - - - -
Wedge-tailedEagle P(Tas.)E - - PE - - - - -
Australian White Ibis - - - - - - - - -
Straw-neckedIbis - - - - - - - - -
Galah - - - - - - - - -
Australian Magpie - - - - - - - - -
Feral Pigeon - - - - - - - - -
Grey-headedFlying-fox P V P T P V - - - - - P R
BlackFlying-fox - - - - - - - - -
SpectacledFlying-fox P V - - - - - - - -
LittleRedFlying-fox - - - - - - - - P R
Black Kite - - - - - - - - -
Australian Pelican - - - - - - - - -
FairyMartin - - - - - - - - -
Welcome Swallow - - - - - - - - -
Recommended Use AnyManagementPlan
1 Commonwealth. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999:E=Endangered,V=Vulnerable2 Victoria. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988:T=Threatened3 New South Wales. Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995:V=Vulnerable4 Tasmania. Threatened Species Protection Act 1995:E=Endangered5 Queensland.Nature Conservation Act19926 WesternAustralia.Wildlife Conservation Act19507 NorthernTerritory.Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act20008 AustralianCapitalTerritory.Nature Conservation Act19809 SouthAustralia.National Parks and Wildlife Act1972:R=Rare
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 59
LAND USE PLANNING NEAR AIRPORTS
Part139oftheCivil Aviation Safety Regulations1998regulateswildlifehazardmanagementonAustralianairports,butthisdoesnotaddressthewildlifehazardassociatedwithoff-airporthazards.InMay2012,theDepartmentofInfrastructureandTransportreleasedtheNationalAirportsSafeguardingFramework,whichaimstodevelopinformedlanduseplanningregimestosafeguardairportsandtheiradjacentcommunities.
GuidelineCoftheFramework,ManagingtheRiskofWildlifeStrikesintheVicinityofAirports,providesrecommendationsforthemanagementofwildlifehazardswithintheInternationalCivilAviationOrganizationdefinedradialdistancesfromairportsof3km,8kmand13km.TheFrameworkallocatesriskcategoriestoincompatiblelanduses(verylowtohigh)andrecommendsactionsforbothexistingandproposeddevelopments(incompatible,mitigate,monitor,noaction).
TheFrameworkencouragesacoordinatedapproachbetweenairportoperatorsandlanduseplanningauthorities,andwhererisksareidentifiedfornewdevelopments,theFrameworkrecommends:
» Developingamanagementprogram
» Establishingmanagementperformancestandards
» Allowingfordesignchangesand/oroperatingprocedureswherethelanduseislikelytoincreasethestrikerisk
» Establishingappropriatehabitatmanagement
» Creatingperformancebondsshouldobligationsnotbemet
» Monitoringbyairportauthorities
» ReportingwildlifeincidentsasperAustralianTransportSafetyBureaurequirements.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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Land UseWildlife AttractionRisk
ActionsforExistingDevelopments
ActionsforProposedDevelopments/ChangestoExistingDevelopments
3km radius (Area A)
8km radius (Area B)
13km radius (Area C)
3km radius (Area A)
8km radius (Area B)
13km radius (Area C)
Agriculture
Turffarm High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Piggery High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Fruittreefarm High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Fishprocessing/packingplant High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Cattle/dairyfarm Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Poultryfarm Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Forestry Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Plantnursery Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Conservation
Wildlifesanctuary/conservationarea–wetland High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Wildlifesanctuary/conservationarea–dryland Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Recreation
Showground High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Racetrack/horseridingschool Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Golfcourse Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Sportsfacility(tennis,bowls,etc) Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Park/Playground Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Picnic/campingground Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Commercial
Foodprocessingplant High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Warehouse(foodstorage) Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Fastfood/drive-in/outdoorrestaurant Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Shoppingcentre Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Officebuilding VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Hotel/motel VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Carpark VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Cinemas VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Warehousing(non-foodstorage) VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Petrolstation VeryLow Monitor NoAction NoAction Monitor NoAction NoAction
Utilities
Food/organicwastefacility High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Putresciblewastefacility–landfill High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Putresciblewastefacility–transferstation High Mitigate Mitigate Monitor Incompatible Mitigate Monitor
Non-putresciblewastefacility–landfill Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Non-putresciblewastefacility–transferstation Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Sewerage/wastewatertreatmentfacility Moderate Mitigate Monitor Monitor Mitigate Mitigate Monitor
Potablewatertreatmentfacility Low Monitor Monitor NoAction Monitor Monitor NoAction
Table: WildlifeAttractionRiskandActionsbyLandUse
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 61
MANAGINGBIRDSATOFF-AIRPORTSITES
Whereoff-airportlocationsareknowntosupporthazardouspopulations,whetherthroughthesupplyoffood,waterorshelter,theircontributiontothestrikeriskmustbeassessed.Suchassessmentsmaydeterminethattheriskistoolowtorequireaction,orthatasignificantstrikeeventisinevitableifleftunmanaged.Professionalexpertisemayberequired,anddevelopingrelationshipswithexternalstakeholdersisessential.
IdentifyingHazards Employaregularmonitoringregimeatlandusesthatareknownorpotentialattractants,including:
» Landfillsandwastetransferstations
» Abattoirsandpiggeries
» Grassyareassuchassportsfields,parksandgolfcourses
» Pastures,cropsandotheragriculturalfields
» Estuaries,creeks,lakesandotherwatersources
» Sewageandwatertreatmentplants
» Roadswhereroadkillisfrequentlypresent
» Areaswherecontrolledorregularburning-offoccurs.
Assess the Risk Assessingthecontributionofaparticularlandusetoanairport’sstrikeriskcanbecompletedinvariouswaysincluding:
» Reviewinghistoricalstrikedatatoidentitystrikefrequencyandconsequence(strikeassessmentsrelativetoaircraftmovementsarerecommended,ratherthantotalstrikenumbers)
» Reviewingon-airportbirdsurveydatatodeterminewildlifeactivitytrends
» Consideringhowtheriskcouldchangebasedonlanduseorairportoperationalchanges.
» Determiningflighpathandheightofaircraftoverthelocation.
Managing Hazards Oncetheextentofthehazardanditsriskcontributionhasbeendetermined,engagewithrelevantlandownerstodevelopandimplementappropriatemanagementplans.Forexample,establish:
» Communicationmechanismswithagriculturallandownerswhoseactivityincludesdisturbance(i.e.controlledburns,plantingcorps,turningsoil)topre-warntheairportofpendingeventssotheairportoperatorcanproactivelyissuehazardnotificationstostakeholders,and/orincreaseactivemanagementeffortsforthedurationoftheevent.
» On-sitemanagementprogramsatlandfills,sewagetreatmentplantsandothersitestorestrictaccesstoforaging,nestingandroostingsites.
» Activemanagementatknownbreedingsites(i.e.eggandnestremoval)andknownroostsites(activedispersal).
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS62
MANAGING BIRDS AT WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Wastemanagementfacilities(landfillsandwastetransferstations)providefoodforavarietyofopportunisticwildlife,inparticularAustralianWhiteIbis,AustralianPelicans,TorresianCrows,SilverGullsandBlackKites.Thisartificialfoodsourcecanincreaselocalisedwildlifepopulationstounmanageablelevels,andcanpresentasignificantriskwherethefacility islocatedincloseproximitytotheairport. Inaddition,whereairportsaresituatedbetween wastemanagementfacilitiesandbirdroosts,birdstransitingthroughaircraftflightpathscanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.
Managingthefoodsourceatwastemanagementfacilitiescancontributesignificantlytoreducingthenumberandtypesofbirdsthatpresentarisk.Goodpracticesofkeepingtippingfacessmallandcoveringwastewillmakethefollowingoptionsmoreeffective:
» Nettingtheareatoexcludebirdentry;
» Suspendingmonofilamentwireornylonlinehorizontallyoverwastelandfillsat5metreintervals;
» Implementinganactivedispersalprogramthatusesarangeofdispersaltoolsincludinggascannon,distresscaller,pyrotechnicsandstockwhip;
» Convertingoperationstoclosedwastesystemswherewasteisturnedintoenergyorcomposted;
» Convertingoperationstoanenclosedtransferstation;and
» Removing,orcovering(i.e.netting)waterretentionpondsandotherwaterfeaturesonsite.
Anywastemanagementprogramdesignedtomanagebirdstoreducethestrikeriskmustbeundertakenwithclosecooperationbetweenthewastefacilityandairportoperators.
Recommended Use
SilverGullSpeciesInformationSheet AustralianWhiteIbisSpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 63
REDUCING THE WATER ATTRACTION
Watersourcesonairportareoftenpermanent,reliableandeasilyaccessible.Inaddition,andwhencoupledwithshortgrass,waterloggedsoilsandareasthatpondafterrainfallcreateadditionalshort-termwatersources.Theseprovidefood,drink,shelterandsometimesnestingsites.Theattractionofairportwatersourcescanbegreatlyreducedasdescribedbelow.
Method Detail Advantages Disadvantages
Realignmentofthewatercourse
Divertingwatercoursesawayfromcriticalareassuchasrunwayundershootareascanreducebirdstrikerisk.
Removestheattractionofwaterfromcriticalareas.
Verycostly.
Undergroundpiping Bypipingwaterunderground,exposedwaterisunavailabletobirds.
Removesopenwaterforbirds.
Canbecostly.Requirescarefulconsiderationoffloodmitigationrequirements.
Metal,nylonormonofilamentwire
Placinga2to6mwiregridoverwatercoursescanlimitbirdaccess.
Inexpensive. Requiresmaintenancetoremaineffective.
Netting 19to50mmnettingplacedoverwatercourses(orponds)restrictbirdentry.
Preventsbirdentrytowater.Excellentoptionforstandingwatersuchaslakesordetentionponds.
Requiresregularmaintenance,particularlyifplacedinfloodproneareas.Smallbirdscanbecomeentangledinthenetting.
Flaggingtape Tapeplacednexttowatercoursefluttersinthebreezetodistractbirds.
Inexpensive. Birdsquicklyhabituate(becomeusedto)tothetape.
Hummingwire Wirepositionedoverwatercoursewhich“hums”inthebreezetodisturbbirds.
Inexpensive. Birdscanhabituatetoit.
Floatingplasticballs Ballsadjusttochangingwaterlevelspreventingbirdsfromlanding.Ballsneedtobekeptinanettostopthemfromfloatingaway.
Eliminatesattractionforlargerbirds.
Mayrequireanettocontaintheballswhichcouldaseasilybeusedastheprimarymeansofpreventingbirdentry.Waterqualitycouldbeaffectedbylackoflightpenetration.
Drainshapeandwaterdepth
Steepsided(4:1)watercoursesmakebirdaccesstothebottommoredifficult,particularlywherewaterdepthisgreaterthan500mm.
Effectivemeansofreducing,butnoteliminating,birdattraction.
Bankscanslumpunlessconcreteorrockinvertsareinstalledwhichcanbecostly.
Recommended Use
IbisSpeciesInformationSheet SilverGullSpeciesInformationSheet DuckSpeciesInformationSheet PelicanSpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS64
GRASS MANAGEMENT
Maintainingadensegrassswardofbetween200and300mmhasbeencommonpracticeintheUnitedKingdomsincethe1960s,andmorerecentlyonmanyAustralianairports.Longgrasseffectivelydetersgroundforagers,suchasibis,galahs,andmagpiesbecauseitlowerspredatordetectionwhichmakesthebirdfeellesssecure.Inaddition,accessinginvertebratesonthesurfaceofthesoilcanbemoredifficultforsomebirds.
Keyconsiderations
» Grassmanagementtodeterbirdsisnota one-size-fits-allconcept,site-specificassessmentsmustbedonetodeterminegrassandbirdspeciespresent,andtodeterminethesuitabilityofmaintaininglonggrass;
» Trialsshouldbecompletedinordertodeterminethesuitabilityoflonggrassasamanagementtool.Forexample,insomeregionsofAustralia,longgrasscanattractadifferentsuiteofbirdspecies,creatinganequallyhazardoussituation;
» Forairportsonlownutrientorsandysoils,wheredensegrassswardsarenotachievable,othervegetationcouldbeconsideredforestablishment;
» Mowingfrequencytendstobereduced,whichnotonlyreducesbirdattraction,butcanalsosavemanhoursandmachinerycosts;
» Mowingequipmentneedstobeabletocutgrassatlongerlengths.Forsomeairports,thismaymeanpurchasingnewequipment;
» Theactivityofmowingdisturbsandexposesinsects,makingtheactivityitselfhazardous.Mowingatlow-riskperiods(i.e.atnight,outsideofpeakaircraftmovementtimes,andoutsideofpeakwildlifeactivitytimes)canhelpreducehazards;
» Theemergenceofweedsmustbecontrolledsoasnottoattractbirds;and
» Grassseedheadsmustberegularlyremoved soasnottoattractgranivorousbirds,or granivorousrodentsthatcanthemselvesattractraptorsandowls.
Recommended Use
GalahSpeciesInformationSheet AustralianMagpieSpeciesInformationSheet MaskedLapwingSpeciesInformationSheet
.
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 65
Itismandatory,undertheTransport Safety Investigation Act2003,thatallstrikesarereportedtotheAustralianTransportSafetyBureauwhetherornottheyresultedindamagetotheaircraftinvolved.Wildlifestrikesarecategorisedasaroutinereportablematterandmustbereportedwithin72hoursoftheoccurrence(seeTransport Safety Investigation Regulations2003).Allstrikesshouldbereported,whethertheyoccurredonoroffairport,sothatstrikeandhazardtrendscanbeassessed.Thereportshouldbecompletedwithasmuchinformationaspossible,insomeinstancesthismaymeantalkingtoaircrew,followingupspeciesidentification,andtalkingtootherairportswherethestrikeoccurredondeparture.
REPORTING WILDLIFE STRIKES
Keyinformationtoinclude:
» Thenameandcontactdetailsofthepersonmakingthereport;
» Thedayandlocaltimewhenthestrikeoccurred;
» Thenameoftheairport,andifitoccurredon,orinrelationtoarunway,therunwaynumber;
» Thenatureandextentofanydamagetotheaircraft;
» Aircraftdetails;
» Phaseofflight;
» Effectonflight;
» Meteorologicalconditions;
» Speciesstruck;
» Numberofindividualsstruck;and
» Possiblebirdattractantspresentatthetimeofstrike.
Reportonlineordownloadtheform: www.atsb.gov.auclickon“Accidentorincidentnotification”
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS66
USING PYROTECHNICS
Noise-makingshellsfiredfromshotguns,starterpistolsandflarepistols(e.g.crackershells,flares,firecrackers,rocketsandmortars)areoftentheprimarybirddeterrentusedatairports.InAustralia,mostairportsusecrackershellswhichareexpelledfromashotgun.
Pyrotechnicsmustbeusedcarefullyformaximumeffect.Thebestapproachisto:
» Carefullyselectshots;
» Useaminimumnumberofshots;
» Ensurethatshotsexplodeveryclosetothebirds;
» Usepyrotechnicsinconjunctionwithotherdeterrents;and
» Careshouldbetakenindryconditionsaspyrotechnicsmaybeawildfirerisk.
Theuserofpyrotechnicsshouldalwaysbepositionedbetweentheflockandrunwaystoavoidsendingbirdsacrossaircraftflightpaths.Somebirdspeciescanhabituatetopyrotechnicsthroughoveruseorinappropriateuseandcanquicklylearntostayawayfromthebirdpatrolvehicle,potentiallymovingtoamorecriticalareafromaflightsafetypointofview.Firearmlicensingandtrainingrequirementsshouldbesatisfiedandsuitablesafetyprotocolsadopted.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 67
KNOWING WHEN TO USE LETHAL CONTROL
Lethalcontrolisasmall,butimportant,partofanairport’swildlifemanagementprogram.Itcanbeusedtomanagehazardsthatarepresentinganimmediateandsignificantstrikerisk,andalsotooccasionallyreinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethalmanagementtools.Considerationshouldbegivento:
» Theriskposedbythespecies(size,flockingnature,population,behaviour,persistence);
» Locationofthebird(particularlyifonrunways,inrunwaystripsandundershootareas);and
» Ineffectivenessofothercontrolmeasuresontheparticularindividuals.
Personnelresponsibleforlethalcontrolshould:
» Bewell-trainedinidentifyingsituationswherelethalcontrolshouldbeapplied(asopposedtonon-lethaltechniques);
» Understandanddemonstrategoodanimalwelfarepracticessothattheanimaldoesnotsufferanyunnecessarypain;
» Demonstratestrongsituationalawarenesstoensurethatfirearmsareusedsafely(i.e.nottowardshousesorbuildings,notwhentherearepeopleoraircraftactivityintheimmediatevicinity);
» Belicencedtousefirearmsandbewell-trainedintheirsafehandlinganduse;and
» Understandtheinclusionsandlimitsoftheirlethalcontrolpermit.
Permitsarerequiredfromstateandterritorygovernmentenvironmentdepartmentsfortheremovalofanynativefauna.IntroducedspeciessuchasFeralPigeons,CommonStarlingsandCommonMynasdonotrequirepermitsforlethalcontrol.Somespeciesarelistedunderfederalorstategovernmentactsforwhichalternativehazardmanagementmeasuresmustbeconsidered.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS68
TYPES OF DISPERSAL TOOLS
Thefollowingrecommendationsforactivemanagementtoolsarederivedfrominternationalresearchandexperienceandmayormaynotberelevantforindividualairports.Therecommendedtoolsserveasastartingpointforindividualairportstotrial.Adispersaltoolkitshouldbedevelopedthatiscommensuratewiththeindividualairport’soperationsandwildlifehazards.
Successfulhazardmanagementprogramsincorporatebothactivedispersalandhabitatmodification.Activedispersalasastandalonemanagementtoolwillnoteffectivelymanagehazardsinthelong-term.Recommendationsarebasedontheoveralllong-termsuccessofthetool.
Not Recommended LimitedRecommendation Recommended
High-intensitysound PhoenixWailer® Pyrotechnics
Microwaves AV-Alarm®ElectronicDevice Distressandalarmcalls
Ultrasound BirdGardAVASonicFence® Shooting
Aircrafthazing BirdGardX20SonicFence® Trapping&remoterelease
Smoke Scarecrows Dogs
Magnets Reflectingtape Stockwhip*
Aircraftenginenoise Predatormodels StartersPistol*
Infrasound Hawkkitesandballoons Sirens*
Poisons Gullmodels Falconry
Animaleffigies* Chemicalrepellents Lights
Foam Whistle*
Predatorcalls Gascannons
Lureareas
Surfactantsandwaterspray
Modelaircraft
Lasers
Source (excluding*): Sharing the Skies, Transport Canada 2001.www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/aerodrome/wildlifecontrol/tp13549/menu.htm
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 69
WHATISSEPARATION-BASEDMANAGEMENT?
MuchinthesamewayAirTrafficControlendeavourstoensureseparationbetweenaircraftwithotheraircraft,wildlifeseparation-basedmanagementendeavourstoseparate,inreal-time,aircraftandwildlife.Therearetwomainelements:
1 Clearingwildlifeawayfromaircraft movementpaths.
2 Advisingaircraftsothattheycanremainclear ofwildlifemovementpaths.
Detectionisachievedeithervisually,orviaremotesensingdevicessuchasradar,andinorderforseparation-basedmanagementtobeeffective,thefollowingarenecessary:
» Adequateon-groundfacilityfordispersingwildlifeawayfromcriticalairspace;
» Theabilitytodetectwildlifemovementsthroughcriticalairspaceinatimelyfashion;
» Theabilitytoassesswildlifemovementsaslikelyornottoconflictwithanaircraftinflight;
» Theabilitytocommunicatelikelyconflicttoaircrewinatimelyfashion;
» Theabilityofaircrewtoquicklyassesstheinformationgiventothemandthendecideonacourseofactionrelevanttotheiroperationalimperatives;and
» PositivecoordinationbyAirTrafficControl.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS70
HOW TO USE DATA
Anairportmayhaveinplaceafullyintegrated,well-resourcedandactivewildlifemanagementprogrambutitsefficacymustbemeasured.Themostobjectiveandinformedwaytomeasuretheprogressofawildlifemanagementprogramistoreviewandanalysedataagainstsettargetsandgoals.Airportsgenerallycollectataminimumairsidebirdcount,strikeanddispersaldata.Bycollectingandanalysingdata,trendsassociatedwithtimeofday,timeofyear,phaseofflightandspeciesstruckcanbedetermined.
Dataanalysistypesarenumerous,andmayinclude:
» Strikesper10,000aircraftmovements;
» Damagingstrikesper100,000aircraftmovements;
» Massstruckper10,000aircraftmovements;
» Strikesaffectingplannedflightper100,000aircraftmovements;
» Criticalareainfringementratesperhourbyallwildlifeorspecificspecies;
» Lethalcontroledanimalsper10,000aircraftmovements;and
» Threatenedspeciesmortalitiesper10,000aircraftmovements.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
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HEALTHANDSAFETY:HANDLINGBIOLOGICAL REMAINS
Deadanimalsmaycarrydiseasesthatareharmfultohumans.Alwayswearglovesandifnecessary,disposablecoveralls,whenhandlingcarcassesorbiologicalmaterials.Avoiddirectskincontactwithbiologicalmaterialsandavoidcontaminatingnormalworkclothing.Ensurethattheoutsideofsamplebags,vehiclesandfreezersarenotcontaminated.Wearamaskandeyeprotectionifthereisariskofbodyfluidsororganicmaterialmistingorsplashing.Washhandsthoroughlywhendoneanddisinfecttoolsifnecessary
BatsandFlying-foxes:
ThereisalowriskofAustralianBatLyssavirus;thereforeallbatsandflying-foxesmustbehandledbyexperiencedandvaccinatedpersons.Ifbittenorscratched,washthewoundwithsoapandwaterforfiveminutesandseekmedicaladvice.
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 71
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS72
GETTING SPECIES IDENTIFICATION RIGHT
Goodwildlifehazardmanagementstemsfromunderstandingpresentrisks.Inotherwords,knowingwhichspeciesareseenandstruck.Accuratespeciesidentificationhelpsairportstodeveloptargetedspeciesmanagement,allowingprogramstobemorestreamlinedandeffective.Italsoprovidesgooddatathatcanbeusedtoconductspeciesriskassessmentstodeterminehighandmoderateriskspeciesandtoidentifyanyseasonalorlong-termtrends.
Identifyingspeciescaninvolve:
» Providingspeciesidentificationtrainingtoairportpersonnel;
» Collectingbiologicalmaterialfromstrikeremainsforforensicanalysis(i.e.DNAanalysis,featheranalysis);
» Photographingwildlifeforidentificationbyanornithologistoraviationecologist;15
» Retainingstruckwildlifecarcassesforidentificationbyanornithologistoraviationecologist;and
» UtiliseaDNAbasedspeciesidentificationservice.16
Recommended Use AnySpeciesInformationSheets
15 resources:Avisure-http://www.avisure.com/services/bird-identification-service
16 resources:AustralianMuseumDNAService-http://australianmuseum.net.au/bird-strike
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 73
DEFINING WILDLIFE STRIKES
Aircrewdefinitelysaw,heard or smelt a wildlife strike?
Confirmed Strike
Suspected Strike
Near Miss
On-aerodrome
Vicinity of Aerodrome
Remote from Aerodrome
Remains found in the runway strip with no apparent reason other
than a wildlife strike?
Maintenance personnel found evidence?
Pilottookevasiveaction to avoid strike?
The strike occurred within the boundary fence of the aerodrome?
Thestrikeoccurredatbelow500ftondepartureor200ftonarrival?
The strike occurred below1000ft?
Within 15km of the
aerodrome?
Not a Strike
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS74
On-aerodrome
Vicinity of Aerodrome
500ft200ft
15km 15km
15km
1000ft
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 75
Remote from Aerodrome
Recommended Use
AnySpeciesInformationSheets
15km 15km
15km
1000ft
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS76
ThisAirportPracticeNoteandtherevisedspeciesinformationfactsheetsareintendedasinformationdocumentsforairportmembers,providingusefulinformationanddataregardingcommonwildlifespeciesaroundAustralianaerodromesandhowairportscanmanagetheseanimals.Thefactsheetsareforgeneralinformationpurposesonlyandarenotintendedtobeprescriptiveorbeanexhaustivesetofinformationonmattersthatshouldbetakenintoaccountforthemanagementofwildlifehazardsatairports.Beforemakinganycommitmentofafinancialnatureorotherwise,airportsshouldconsidertheirownspecificneedsandcircumstancesandseekadvicefromappropriatelyqualifiedadvisers.Nomaterialcontainedwithinthisguidelineshouldbeconstruedorrelieduponasprovidingrecommendationsinrelationtoanyparticulardevelopmentorplanningoutcomeordecision.
TheAustralianAirportsAssociationandtheauthorsofthisAirportPracticeNotedonotgiveanywarrantyorrepresentationastotheaccuracy,reliabilityorcompletenessofinformationwhichiscontainedherein.Exceptinsofarasanyliabilityunderstatutecannotbeexcluded,theAustralianAirportAssociationLtdandtheauthorsoftheAirportPracticeNoteandtheiremployeesdonotacceptanyliabilityforanyerrororomissioninthispublicationorforanyresultinglossordamagesufferedbytheuseroranyotherperson.TheAustralianAirportsAssociationandtheauthorsofthisAirportPracticeNote,andtheiremployees,donotguaranteethatthepublicationiswhollyappropriateforyourparticularpurposesand,totheextentallowedbylaw,disclaimallliabilityforanylossorotherconsequencewhichmayarisefromyourelyingonanyinformationfromthesepublications.
Birdstrike is a serious problemthat’scostingairportsand aircraftoperatorsbillionsofdollarseveryyear.Overthepast 18years,morethan70international,regionalandmilitary airportshaveplacedtheirtrustinAvisure.
How are you managing your risk?
Ourteamofhighlyexperiencedaviationecologistsperform site-specificassessmentsandextensivedataanalysisbefore providingsustainableandeffectiveprograms.
Contact us today to reduce wildlife hazards before the problem hits. www.avisure.com 1300 112 021
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MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 77
References
1 AustralianTransportSafetyBureau(ATSB)forstrikereporting-onlineandformdownload
2 CivilAviationSafetyAuthority(CASA)forregulation(MOSPart139S10.14)andadvisorycircular(AC126-0)
3 AustralianAviationWildlifeHazardGroup(AAWHG)forgeneralindustrysupportandRecommendedPractices(RP).FinalisedRPsatthetimeofcompilingthisinformationincludes:
» RP1.3Wildliferiskassessmentandanalysisfinal;
» RP3.2.10FirearmsSafety;
» RP3.2.3LaserSafetyFINALReleaseVersion;
» RP5.1TrainingandcompetencyAerodromefinal;and
» RP5.2TrainingandcompetencyFlightcrew(workingdraft).
4 AustralianTransportSafetyBureau(ATSB)-Australianaviationwildlifestrikestatistics2004to2013Report
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AustralianAirportsAssociation Unit9/23BrindabellaCircuit ICanberraAirportACT2609
P:0262301110 F: 0262301367E:[email protected]
www.airports.asn.au