MANAGING BIRD STRIKE · PDF fileMANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 1 The Australian Airports Association (AAA) is the national industry voice for airports in Australia

MANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS

AIRPORT PRACTICE NOTE 6

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

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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.

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)


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.


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.


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.


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.


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




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.


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


Recommendations

1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatthelethalcontrolpermitisvalid.

2 Alwaysadheretogoodanimalwelfarepractices.

3 Uselethalcontrolonlyasalastresortmanagementoption.

4 Neveruselethalcontrolasaprimarymanagementtool.


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.


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.


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



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.


Duck Management

ActiveManagement

Activebirdmanagementinvolvesscaringorremovingbirdsfromtheairport.Therearenumerousoptionsavailableforthetask,someofwhichhavelimitedeffectinthelong-termduetohabituation.Themostsuccessfulactivemanagementprogramsutiliseacombinationoftoolsandtechniques,supplementedwithpassivemanagementoptions(seenextsection).

Dispersal Disperseducksusing:


» Starterpistols;

» Stockwhips;and

» Vehicles.

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Ducksthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.

2 Althoughgenerallyeasytodisperse,theymayseekshelterinaquaticvegetationifavailable,thereforerepeateddispersalattemptsmayberequiredforasingleindividualtoensurethehazardismanaged.


4 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementsasdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.Ducksoftentrytoreturntothesamespotfromwhichtheyweredispersedandmaymakealargeloopovertheairportafteradispersalattempt.

5 Bevigilanttoactivity,particularlyflightactivity,duringduskperiods.

6 Ducksoftenuseairportstoroost,thereforedispersalatnightshouldbeundertaken.

7 Dispersalmustcontinueasducksmayreturnormovetomorehazardouslocations.


» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;and


Recommendations

1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.




Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodisperseducks.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisduetothe:

» Introductionofarealpredatorintotheairportenvironment;and

» Abilitytotraindogstochasebirdsawayfromcriticalaircraftmovementareas.

Recommendations



3 Checkstatepermitrequirements.



Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:





» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and

» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards.

Hazardnotificationsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossibleinordertoensureaircrewarewellinformed.Itisrecommendedthathazardnotificationsinclude:

» Species;





Passive Management

Allbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoducks,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

Reducingtheduckattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Water Management Reduceaccesstowaterby:


» 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.


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)


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.


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.


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.


Raptor Management

ActiveManagement


Dispersal Disperseraptorsusing:


» Lights;

» Stockwhips;

» Presence(getoutofvehicleandpointatthebird/sandyellatthem);and

» Vehicles(bydrivingunderneathforagingraptors).

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalasraptorsarrive.


3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,asdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.




Recommendations





Nest Management Ifnestsarelocatedintreeslocatedlandsideorairside,liaisewithlocalenvironmentauthoritiestocoordinatenestremovalandrelocation.




» DirectcommunicationswithATC;






» Species;






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).


Raptorsregularlytransitthroughaircraftflightpathsenroutetofeedingareasandattimesremainincriticalareasduetotheavailabilityoffoodandthermalsatairports.



» Identifyingraptormovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and



» Encouragingairlinestorescheduleflightsifdiscreettrendsareidentified.

Off-airportRaptorManagementOff-airportsitespredominantlycontributetoraptorstrikeriskbyprovidingforagingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchaslandfills,abattoirs,piggeries,andareaswhereroadkillorfiresmaybepresent.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.


5 IBIS

BackgroundAustralianWhiteIbisandStraw-neckedIbispresent asignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:


» Strikesinvolvingibishaveahigherpotentialfordamagebecauseoftheirhighbodymass;and

» Theurbanisationofibis,particularlyAustralianWhiteIbis,oftencreatessignificantcoloniesincloseproximitytoairports.

Strike History Collectively,AustralianWhiteIbisandStraw-neckedIbiswereinvolvedin135strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014.Ofthese,11%ofstrikesinvolvedmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and15%ofstrikesresultedindamagetotheaircraft6.


Ibis Threskiornis Molucca



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.


Ibis on AirportsThemainattractionsforibisatairportsaredescribedbelow.

Grass ShortgrassonairportsprovidesanidealenvironmentforIbis.Shortgrassnotonlyallowseasyaccesstofood,butprovidesthebirdswithgreatlyenhancedpredatordetection.



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



Dispersal Ibisaregenerallywaryofhumansandvehicles,andattemptingtodispersethemtooaggressivelymayresultoneormoreIbisflyingirrationallyandnotinthedirectionyouintend.Dispersingaflockaggressivelymayresultintheflocksplinteringwithindividualsandsmallergroupsflyinginseveraldirections.

ApproachIbisgradually,stoppingatintervalswhentheIbisisalertandmovingagainwhentheIbisforages.Thistechniqueiscalledthestalkandchasemethodandmimicsanaturalpredator,withtheIbiseventuallydispersingwhenitfeelsitisunderthreat.

DisperseIbisusing:

» Thestalkandchasemethod;


» Portabledistresscallers;

» Sirens;

» Lights;

» Stockwhips;

» Starterpistols;

» Armwave;

» Lasers;and

» Vehicles.

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalassoonasdetected,particularlyearlyinthebreedingseasonwhensitefidelitymaybelower.

2 Repeateddispersalattemptsmayberequiredforasingleindividualtoensurethehazardismanaged.


4 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.




Recommendations










» DistributionofWildlifeHazardNotificationsorBirdWatchConditionReports

» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards

» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards

» InclusionofwildlifehazardsintheERSAforongoinghazards

Hazardnotificationsshouldprovideasmuchdetailaspossibleinordertoensureaircrewarewellinformed.Itisrecommendedthathazardnotificationsinclude:

» Species;





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.




Thephysicalactionofgrassmowingdisturbsandkillsinsects.Airportsoftenobservebirds,suchasIbis,followingmowerstotakeadvantageofenhancedforagingopportunity.Thiscanincreasethestrikerisk,particularlyingrassedareasclosetocriticalaircraftmovementareas.

Mowingshouldbetimedtoensuregrassseedheadsareregularlyremoved.Allowinggrassestoseedcancreateadditionalhazardsassociatedwithgranivorousbirdsandrodents.

Recommendations

1 Ensuremowingequipmentiscapableofcuttinggrassasthedesiredheights.

2 Mowareasadjacenttocriticalaircraftmovementareasoutsideofpeakaircraftmovementtimes.Considermowingatnight.

3 Donotallowgrasstogotoseed.



» Fillinggrounddepressionsthatholdwaterafterrain;and

» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheloafingattraction.

Food Management Limitaccesstofoodby:

» Ensuringbinsareenclosedandemptiedregularly;

» Ensuringrubbishskipsarekeptclosedatalltimes;and

» Mowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.

HabitatModification Restrictloafingareasby:

» Maintaininggrasslengthsupto300mm,thisrestrictsinvertebrateaccessaswellasreducingpredatordetection;and

» Removingislandsinthemiddleofwaterbodiestoeliminatesaferefugesforibistoretreat.


AustralianWhiteIbistransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingandroostingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.



» IdentifyingIbismovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and




Off-airportIbisManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoIbisstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,nestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchaslandfills,seafoodprocessingfacilities,designatedfishcleaningstations,wastetransferstations,publicfeedingareas,parks,sportsfieldsandsewageandwatertreatmentplants.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.


6 GALAH

Background

Despitetheirrelativelysmallsize,Galahspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:

» Theyflockandareofteninvolvedinmultiplestrikeincidents;

» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable;

» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbersparticularlywherethereareabundantfoodsources;and

» Theirpreferenceforforagingonshortgrassmakesmanyairportsattractive.

Strike History Galahswereinvolvedin826strikesinAustraliabetween2003and2014,with37%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike)and6%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft7.

Galah Eolophus roseicapilla




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.


Galah Management

ActiveManagement


Galahactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:

Dispersal DisperseGalahsusing:


» Lights;

» Stockwhips;

» Starterpistols;

» Armwave;

» Lasers;

» In-vehicleradiowithspeakers(generatecracklingsoundsusingtheradio);and

» Vehicles.

Recommendations:

1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Galahsthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.


3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementsasdispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictable.




Recommendation





5 WhereflocksofGalahsarepresent,lethalcontrolanindividualwhointeractsleastwiththeotherGalahsasitislesslikelytobemated.MatedGalahsoftenremainwiththeirdeceasedmatesandmayresultinanincreasedstrikerisk.

6 ConductnecropsytodeterminewhichplantsareattractingGalahstotheairport.

Trained Predators TheuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodisperseGalahs.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:



Recommendations



3 Checkstatepermitrequirements.











» Species;





Galah Management

Passive Management

AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoGalahs,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

ReducingtheGalahattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Long Grass Maintaingrassheightsbetween150and300mm.Thisstrategyhasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyatairportsallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:


» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfacethesoilismoredifficult.

Recommendations

1 Trialgrassheights.Notallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.

2 Monitoringthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreaseisimportanttonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchasGalahs,buttodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.




» Increasingtheslopeofdrainsides(4:1)toreducetheabilityofGalahstoaccessthewaterfromthedrain’sedge;and

» Removinganyunnecessarywater,includingtherepairofleakingtapsandotherleakingwaterdevices.



Galahstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.



» IdentifyingGalahmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and




Off-airportGalahManagementOff-airportsitescontributetoGalahstrikeriskbyprovidingforagingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportssuchassportsfields,pasturesandotheragriculturalfields,grainstorageandhandlingfacilitiesandgolfcourses.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.


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



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.




Australian Magpie Management

ActiveManagement


Dispersal Dispersemagpiesusing:


» Portabledistresscallers;

» Sirens;

» Lights;

» Stockwhip;

» Starterpistols;and

» Vehicles.

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalastheyarriveinacriticalareaoftheairfieldoruponarrivalofnewmagpiestotheairport.Magpiesthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.

2 Executearapidsequenceofactions,withmultipletools,toreinforcethedispersalintent.Oncemagpieshaveestablishedterritories,theycanbeverydifficulttodisperse,requiringpersistenceandpatience.





Recommendation

1 Donotlethalcontrolallmagpiesasresidentpopulationsareoftenawareofaircrafthazardsandcanquicklylearnwhereyouallowthemtoforagebasedonyourdispersalattempts.Lethalcontrolallmagpieswillresultinnewmagpiescomingtotheairfieldwhichcanincreasetheriskofmagpiestrike.

2 Makesureappropriatefirearmlicenceandlethalcontrolpermitsarevalid.


4 Targetjuvenilemagpiesorstubbornindividualsthatdonotrespondtodispersaltechniques.




Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodispersemagpies.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:



Recommendations

1 Onlyusespeciallytraineddogswithexperiencedhandlers.


3 Checkstate/territorypermitrequirements.

Passive Management

AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttotheAustralianMagpie,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

ReducingtheAustralianMagpieattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Long Grass Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150and300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:


» Accessingpreyitemsatthesurfaceofthesoilismoredifficult.

Recommendations

1 Trialgrassheightsasnotallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.

2 Monitorthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreasetonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchasmagpies,butalsotodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustraliaMagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.



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.


8 FERAL PIGEON

Background

Despitetheirrelativelysmallsize,FeralPigeonspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:


» Theirflightcanbeunpredictable;and

» Theycancongregateinverylargenumbers,particularlywherethereareabundant foodsources.

Strike History FeralPigeonswereinvolvedin183strikes9inAustraliabetween2003and2014,with27%ofstrikesinvolvingmorethanoneindividual(i.e.multiplestrike),and4%ofstrikesresultingindamagetotheaircraft.Althoughotherpigeonanddovespecies,suchastheCrestedPigeonandSpottedTurtleDovehavebeeninvolvedinstrikes,FeralPigeonsaccountfor92%ofallpigeonanddovestrikesinAustralia10.

9 Includesstrikereportsthatwhere‘unidentifiedpigeon’wasidentified


FeralPigeon Columba livia



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.


Feral Pigeon Management

ActiveManagement


Dispersal Dispersepigeonsusing:


» Starterpistols;

» Sirens;

» Lights;

» Lasers;and

» Stockwhips.

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalastheyarrive.Pigeonsthathavebeengiventheopportunitytosettlecanbedifficulttodisperse.




» Reinforcetheeffectivenessofnon-lethaldispersalequipment;

» Removeimmediateandserioushazards;and

» Reducetheresidentpopulation/sofpigeonstoanominatedthreshold.

Recommendations





Trained Predators Theuseoftraineddogscanbeemployedtodispersepigeons.IthasbeenusedsuccessfullyformanyyearsthroughoutEuropeandNorthAmerica,andmorerecentlyinAustralia.Itssuccessisdueto:



Recommendations



3 Checkstate/territorypermitrequirements.










» Communicationwithlocalracingpigeonorganisations


» Species;





Passive Management

AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttoFeralPigeon,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

ReducingtheFeralPigeonattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Long Grass Maintaininggrassheightsbetween150and300mmtodeterbirdsatairportshasbeenimplementedsuccessfullyallovertheworld.Longgrassiseffectivebecause:


» Accessingseedsatthesurfaceofthesoilismoredifficult.

Recommendations

1 Trialvariousgrassheightsasnotallgrassescangrowtoasufficientlength,andnotallairportscangrowdenseswardsofgrass.Atrialwillhelpestablishairport-specificoptions.

2 Monitorthechangeofbirdspeciescompositionasgrassheightsincreasetonotonlyassesstheimpactongrasslandbirds,suchaspigeons,butalsotodetermineifadifferenthazardiscreated.Forexample,innorthernAustralia,MagpieGeesehaveapreferenceforlonggrassforestablishingnests.



5 Makesureseedheadsareregularlyremoved.

6 Inareasthatrequiregrassre-establishment(i.e.followingairsidegroundworks),considernettingtheareatorestrictaccessbypigeons,orincreasethelevelofactivedispersaluntilthegrasshasestablished.


Built Environment Modification

Airportfacilitiesandstructurescanprovideidealperching,nestingandroostinghabitatforpigeons,especiallyinandaroundhangarsandinfrequentlyusedairsidebuilding.Pigeonscanbedeterredorexcludedfromsuchhabitatsby:

» Installingpigeonexclusiondevicessuchasnettingandspikes;and

» Ensuringallhangardoorsareclosedandhangarssealedwhennotrequiredtobeopentopreventpigeonaccess.


» Eliminatingaccesstoartificialwatersourcessuchasfountains;and

» Removeanyunnecessarywater,includingtherepairofleakingtapsandotherleakingwaterdevices.


Pigeonstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.



» Identifyingpigeonmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and



» Communicatingstrikerisktopigeonracinggroupsinthevicinityofairports;and


Off-airportFeralPigeonManagementOff-airportsitescontributetopigeonstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,nestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Knownpigeonforagingattractantsincludesportsfields,pasturesandotheragriculturalfields,andgrainstorageandhandlingfacilities,whilebuildingssuchashangars,warehousesandfactoriesmayprovidenestingandroostinghabitat.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.FeralPigeonshavealonghistoryofbeingkeptandreleasedforsport.Flocksofbetween50and100,andsometimesmore,havebeenrecordedtransitingoperationalairspaceatairportsaroundAustralia.Thisisusuallyobservedwhenthereleaseanddestinationsitesareoneithersideofanairport.Effectivemanagementoftheracingpigeonstrikeriskrequiresconsultationamongstthepigeonkeepers,localcouncilsandtheairport. Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.


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.



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


Weight:500-1000g

Length:22-24cm


Weight:400-1000g

Length:12-20cm

Wingspan:upto1m

Weight:280-530g

Identification Adults:distinctiveorangefurthatencirclestheneck.Restofbodyisgreyish,withalightgreyhead.Legsarefurred.


Adults:blackcolourationallover,withachocolate-browncolouronthebackoftheneck.Legsareunfurred.


Adults:distinctivestraw-coloredfuraroundtheeye,givingthe‘spectacled’appearance.Therestofthebodyisdark,withalightcolourationaroundtheshouldersandneck.


Adults:smallestofallfourspecies.Colourationisreddish-brown,andthebrownwingsaresemi-transparent. Legsareunfurred.


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.



Breeding MatingoccursJanuarytoMarch.

YoungarebornSeptembertoOctober.

MatingoccursMarchtoApril.

YoungarebornDecembertoFebruary.

MatingoccursMarchtoMay.

YoungarebornOctobertoDecember.

MatingoccursNovembertoJanuary.

YoungarebornApriltoMay.



Flying-foxonAirportsAirportshavehabitatsthatattractsflying-foxes,particularlynaturalareasandlandscapes.Theriskhowever,isusallyrelatedtoflying-foxestransitingairportairspaceandaircraftflightpathswhilstenroutetoandfromforagingandroostinggrounds.Theexistenceoffruitingandfloweringtreesonairports,eitherairsideorlandside,canresultinthepresenceofflying-foxesonairportsduringnighttime.

Flying-foxManagement

ActiveManagement

Successfulflying-foxmanagementrequiresafocusondetectingthehazardandcommunicatingthedetailstoallstakeholders.










» Species;





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.


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.


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’


BlackKite Milvus migrans



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.


Black Kite Management

ActiveManagement


BlackKiteactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:

Dispersal Dispersekitesusing:


» Stockwhips;

» Lights;

» Presence(getoutofvehicleandpointatthebird/sandyellatthem);and

» Vehicles(bydrivingunderneathforagingkites).

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalaskitesarrive.






Recommendations





Nest Management Ifnestsarelocatedintreeslocatedlandsideorairside,liaisewithlocalenvironmentauthoritiestocoordinatenestremovalandrelocation.







» InclusionofhazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards;and



» Species;






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.



» Identifyingkitemovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and




Off-airportBlackKiteManagementOff-airportsitescontributetokitestrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,loafingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Foragingsitessuchaslandfills,abattoirs,piggeries,andareaswithroadkillorwithrecentlydisturbedsoilsaresignificantattractantstoBlackKites.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection.Liasewithoff-airportlandmanagerstoreducefoodavailabilityandlimitburningvegetation.Landfilloperationsinparticularneedtolimitfoodsupply.


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



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.


Australian Pelican Management

ActiveManagement


Pelicanactivemanagementoptionscaninclude:

Dispersal Dispersepelicansusing:


» Sirens;

» Stockwhips;and

» Vehicles.

Recommendations

1 Commencedispersalaspelicansarrive.


3 Alwaysremainalerttoaircraftmovementswhendispersing,dispersalresponse(i.e.thedirectioninwhichthedispersedbirdflies)canbeunpredictableandslow.




Recommendation

1 Makesureyouhavetheappropriatefirearmlicenceandthatthelethalcontrolpermitisvalid.





Pelicanspresentthegreatesthazardtoaircraftoperationswhentheyareairborneduringtransitorthermaling.Pelicansfrequentlythermalonfine,cooldayswithfewclouds.Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.todelaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:








» Species;






Passive Management

AllbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttotheAustralianPelican,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

Reducingthepelicanattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Water Management Reduceaccesstolarge,permanentwaterbodiesby:

» Installingnettingorwiresoverwaterwaystorestrictaccess;and

» Placingfloatationdevices,suchassemi-permeablemembranes,ontoretentionpondstorestrictaccesstowater

HabitatModification » Restrictloafingareasbyremovingislandswithinwaterbodiestoeliminatesaferefugesforpelicanstoretreat.


Pelicanstransitingaircraftflightpathsandmovementareasenroutetofeedingareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.



» Identifyingpelicanmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and


Off-airportAustralianPelicanManagementOff-airportsitescontributetopelicanstrikeriskbyprovidingforaging,loafingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairportsintheformofwaterbodiessuchaslakes,canals,estuariesandwaterretentionbasins.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedintheAdditionalInformationsection..


12 MARTINS AND SWALLOWS

BackgroundDespitetheirsmallsize,martinsandswallowspresentasignificantstrikerisktoaircraftbecause:


» 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



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.


MartinsandSwallowsonAirportsThemainattractionsformartinsandswallowsatairportsaredetailedbelow.

Water Airportsoftenprovideaccesstopermanentandreliablewatersources.Thesewatersourcesareparticularlyattractivetomartinsandswallowsinaridanddryenvironments,withampleinsectsaroundthewatersourceforforage.

Food Martinandswallowactivityisgenerallyproportionaltoaerialinsectactivity,whichfluctuatesinresponsetorainfall,airpressure,andgrassmowingactivity.

LoafingAreas/Shelter Fencingandotherairportinfrastructureisusedtorestandperchduringforagingperiods.Martinsandswallowsfrequentlyloafonsealedsurfacessuchasrunwaysandtaxiwaystorestandgainheat,especiallyincolderclimates.

Nesting Airportscanprovidesuitableareastoconstructnests,particularlydrainsanddrainculverts,aswellasbuildingeavesandsimilarstructures.Airportnestsitesareutilisedduetotheavailablestructure,aswellastheavailabilityofnearbyfoodandwater.

MartinandSwallowManagement

ActiveManagement


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.



Informingaircrewofhazards,particularlywhenanacutehazardexists,willhelpinformtheiroperationaldecisions(e.g.delaytake-off).Hazardcommunicationcanbeachievedvia:




» DistributionofwildlifeNOTAMsforshort-termhazards;and

» InclusionofahazardwarningintheATISforshort-termhazards.


» Species;





Passive Management

Allbirdmanagementstrategiesshouldseektoreducetheattractivenessoftheairporttomartinsandswallows,focusingonfood,waterandshelteravailability.Anassessmentoftheairportshouldbecompletedbyapersonqualifiedandexperiencedinidentifyingbirdattractionsandrecommendingsite-specificmodifications.

Reducingthemartinandswallowattractiontoairportsmayrequireacombinationofpassivemanagementstrategies.

Food Management Limitaccesstofoodbymowingatnighttolimittheavailabilityofinvertebrates.

HabitatModification Restrictnestingareasby:

» Installingexclusiondevicesondrainculverts;and

» Installinganti-perchingspikes,wiresornettingonbuildingsandotherinfrastructurewheremartinsandswallowsareknowntoperchandnest.

Monitoring Movements

Martinsandswallowsthatregularlyforageinortransitthroughmovementareascanpresentaseriousstrikerisk.



» Identifyingmartinandswallowmovementtrends(i.e.timeofday,timeofyear,heightoftransit);and


Off-airportMartinandSwallowManagementOff-airportsitescontributetomartinandswallowstrikeriskbyprovidingnestingandroostingsitesincloseproximitytoairports.Thisresultsinincreasednumbersatandaroundairportstherebyincreasingtheprobabilityofastrike.Off-airportmanagementstrategiesareprovidedattheendoftheAdditionalInformationsection.


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


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


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


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).



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


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


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

.


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”



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.



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.



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



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.



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.


HEALTHANDSAFETY:HANDLINGBIOLOGICAL REMAINS

Deadanimalsmaycarrydiseasesthatareharmfultohumans.Alwayswearglovesandifnecessary,disposablecoveralls,whenhandlingcarcassesorbiologicalmaterials.Avoiddirectskincontactwithbiologicalmaterialsandavoidcontaminatingnormalworkclothing.Ensurethattheoutsideofsamplebags,vehiclesandfreezersarenotcontaminated.Wearamaskandeyeprotectionifthereisariskofbodyfluidsororganicmaterialmistingorsplashing.Washhandsthoroughlywhendoneanddisinfecttoolsifnecessary

BatsandFlying-foxes:

ThereisalowriskofAustralianBatLyssavirus;thereforeallbatsandflying-foxesmustbehandledbyexperiencedandvaccinatedpersons.Ifbittenorscratched,washthewoundwithsoapandwaterforfiveminutesandseekmedicaladvice.




GETTING SPECIES IDENTIFICATION RIGHT

Goodwildlifehazardmanagementstemsfromunderstandingpresentrisks.Inotherwords,knowingwhichspeciesareseenandstruck.Accuratespeciesidentificationhelpsairportstodeveloptargetedspeciesmanagement,allowingprogramstobemorestreamlinedandeffective.Italsoprovidesgooddatathatcanbeusedtoconductspeciesriskassessmentstodeterminehighandmoderateriskspeciesandtoidentifyanyseasonalorlong-termtrends.

Identifyingspeciescaninvolve:

» Providingspeciesidentificationtrainingtoairportpersonnel;

» Collectingbiologicalmaterialfromstrikeremainsforforensicanalysis(i.e.DNAanalysis,featheranalysis);

» Photographingwildlifeforidentificationbyanornithologistoraviationecologist;15

» Retainingstruckwildlifecarcassesforidentificationbyanornithologistoraviationecologist;and

» UtiliseaDNAbasedspeciesidentificationservice.16


15 resources:Avisure-http://www.avisure.com/services/bird-identification-service

16 resources:AustralianMuseumDNAService-http://australianmuseum.net.au/bird-strike


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


On-aerodrome

Vicinity of Aerodrome

500ft200ft

15km 15km

15km

1000ft


Remote from Aerodrome

Recommended Use

AnySpeciesInformationSheets

15km 15km

15km

1000ft


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


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

AustralianAirportsAssociation Unit9/23BrindabellaCircuit ICanberraAirportACT2609

P:0262301110 F: 0262301367E:[email protected]

www.airports.asn.au

Documents

MANAGING BIRD STRIKE · PDF fileMANAGING BIRD STRIKE RISK SPECIES INFORMATION SHEETS 1 The Australian Airports Association (AAA) is the national industry voice for airports in Australia