Bird Strike Committee Proceedings
Date of this Version
8-2008
Abstract
Stormwater impoundments within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sighting criteria (10,000 foot line of sight around airport perimeter) increase the risk of bird-aircraft collisions by providing bird habitat, but the factors which influence this risk have only recently been investigated. Managers must find ways to reduce this risk, while still managing stormwater for environmental quality compliance. The FAA provides guidelines for stormwater management to reduce hazardous wildlife attraction (AC150/5200-33B). However, these guidelines do not quantify the role of pond and landscape characteristics in attracting birds to stormwater ponds. In a collaborative effort with the FAA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services, we are quantifying bird use of stormwater detention ponds. For this project we are conducting point counts at 40 stormwater ponds in the Auburn, AL area on a rotating basis. We are quantifying pond and landscape characteristics with a combination of observer data and geographic information systems. The data generated will provide a basis for understanding factors influencing bird-aircraft collision risks created by the presence of stormwater ponds. We will present our development of a priori models to describe bird use of stormwater ponds and discuss the project’s objectives, including the development of improved Best Management Practices for hazardous birds at stormwater ponds. We will also summarize the project’s preliminary data and analyses to date.
Comments
Abstract of paper presented at Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada Meeting, Lake Mary and Sanford, Florida, August 18–21, 2008.