Bird Hazard

Bird strike!

Bird Hazard Control

The aerodrome will put together a Bird Control Management Plan (BCMP), to help cope with and reduce the frequency of bird related hazards. This is produced by the onsite bird control co-ordinator.

The BCMP will include a recording system, effective techniques in risk assessment, bird control, habitat management and safeguarding.

Bird attractions

Food вЂ" Many species of bird require a high energy food, these foods are normally earth worms, slugs, spiders and insects. Some carnivorous birds feed on small mammals such as rodents. Litter bins could be a source of bird food.

Open Terrain вЂ" Birds that tend to stay in large flocks are attracted to open spaces because the unobstructed view provides security. Flat open terrain is a characteristic of an airfield that can not be avoided.

Landscaping вЂ" Developments such as long grass, trees and water may become desirable to birds for a few reasons. Dense vegetation and trees have the potential to become roosts and nests, the trees could produce a food source during the autumn months and water attracts gulls.

Nests and Roosts вЂ" Trees, bushes, dense vegetation and even some man made structures have the potential to become nest or roost areas

Water вЂ" Open standing water attracts waterfowl which are normally large birds and fly in large flocks. They tend to be impossible to evict with a scaring device, and be more active at night time.

Wet and waterlogged grass attracts feeding ducks so drainage should be installed.

Large permanent water such as ponds will attract ducks and swans.

The Coast вЂ" Muddy and sandy shores are a hot spot for birds such as gulls and wildfowl. Coastal aerodromes will have a larger number of birds in the area and the bird activity will change with tide and weather.

Agricultural attractions вЂ" It is inevitable that harvesting and growing crops will attract birds, so aerodromes near farms are at a heightened risk of strike.

Bird strike risk reduction

Long grass policy вЂ"