Bird Strike Committee Proceedings
Date of this Version
August 2003
Abstract
Wildlife management at airports presents a myriad of challenges. Familiar to many in the field, is the outwitting of wily coyotes, the outsmarting of persistent birds and the outflanking of troublesome deer. Deterrents to barriers, dogs to pyrotechnics, habitat management to habitat removal, an array of increasingly effective measures can be used as part of integrated wildlife management programs to meet the challenge of increasing suburban wildlife populations and their interactions with air traffic. On or off the airfield, the objectives of all stakeholders will not be consistent with best management practices for wildlife management. This is increasingly likely outside of the immediate airport environment – the next front for effective wildlife management. This presentation discusses the efforts of a publicly owned Canadian regional airport (Peterborough Municipal Airport, Ontario) to manage its wildlife. This is related in the context of addressing various local, provincial and federal viewpoints, policies and regulations along the way. Provincially significant wetland habitat, provincially rare birds, locally significant plants, federally protected fish and fish habitat, a private proposal for a waste water lagoon, municipal storm water management requirements and public interest all demanded consideration.