Airports' Strategies To Combat Starling Invasions

Airports employ a variety of methods to protect against starlings and other birds, as their murmurations can cause significant damage to aircraft engines and even lead to fatal accidents. Common strategies include laser harassment, netting, nest removal, structural repairs, and population management techniques. Additionally, airports may use trained dogs, birds of prey, or drones resembling birds of prey to chase away flocks of birds. Other creative solutions involve the use of grape flavoring, methyl anthranilate (grape-seed extract), and optical gel, which deters birds by mimicking the sight and smell of fire and smoke while emitting the scent of peppermint oil.

Using trained dogs to chase starlings away

European starlings are highly invasive birds that pose a significant risk to airports. Their murmurations, or large flocks, have the power to take down airplanes, causing fatal accidents. As such, it is crucial to implement effective deterrence solutions to protect airports from these birds. One method that can be employed is the use of trained dogs to chase starlings away.

Training dogs to chase birds is a creative and effective strategy used by wildlife experts to ensure safety at airports. While it can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour, the benefits of having a well-trained dog on the team are significant. Dogs can be trained to chase starlings by using decoys and bird scent, as well as positive reinforcement and motivation techniques. It is important to note that the training process requires patience and consistency, and it may take several weeks or even months for the dog to respond effectively.

To begin the training process, it is essential to familiarize the dog with its prey. This can be done by using decoy birds tied to a long rope and dragged along the ground, encouraging the dog to chase after it. Positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in this training, and it is important to praise and reward the dog with treats each time it successfully chases the decoy. This helps to create a positive association with the task and keeps the dog motivated.

In addition to decoy training, scent familiarization is also an important aspect. By using bird scent during training, the dog can learn to associate the smell with its prey, making it more effective in detecting and chasing starlings. This scent training can also help the dog in tracking and locating starlings, even when they are not in plain sight.

While training dogs to chase starlings can be an effective strategy, it is important to note that it may not work for all dogs or in all situations. Some dogs may take longer to train, especially if they are older and less energetic. Additionally, the intelligence of birds, including starlings, cannot be understated. They are quick to learn and adapt, so a successful bird deterrence program must be dynamic and constantly evolving.

Employing bird netting to prevent starlings from nesting

Employing bird netting is a simple yet effective way to prevent starlings from nesting and roosting in buildings. Bird netting is a cosmetic device that prevents birds from accessing buildings by denying them a grip. Netting can be placed over areas where starlings are not wanted. If starlings have already infiltrated a building, netting can be installed to allow them to leave but not re-enter.

In the context of airports, StealthNet exclusion netting can be installed on the underside of roof beams inside open buildings such as airplane hangars. Netting can also be used to protect crops from birds and insects and is used by gardeners and allotmenteers. Netting is also used on buildings, development sites, and on trees and hedges to stop birds from nesting.

It is important to note that the use of netting to prevent birds from nesting may be restricted by laws that protect birds and their nests. For example, in the UK, wild birds are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (England, Wales, and Scotland) and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. These acts make it an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, or take any wild bird, or to damage or destroy their nests.

To minimise the risk of harm, netting should be installed in a way that prevents wildlife from becoming trapped. It should be checked regularly, ideally three times a day, to ensure that it has not become defective, loose, or damaged, and that no wildlife has become trapped. If wildlife does become trapped, it should be immediately released.

Using lasers to harass starlings

Starlings are a highly invasive species, originally from Europe, and are extremely well-adapted to living in populated urban and suburban areas. They are known to nest in and around buildings and are highly intelligent and aggressive. This poses a significant risk to airports, as their murmurations have the power to take down airplanes.

One effective method to deter starlings is the use of lasers. Laser technology has been proven to be powerful in scaring starlings away and preventing them from nesting or roosting in certain areas. Birds perceive the moving green light as a physical object and will take flight to seek safety. After repeated experiences with the laser, the starlings will learn to avoid the area. This technique is especially useful for large flocks due to the 'domino effect', where the first bird reached by the laser will fly away, triggering the rest of the flock to follow.

The AVIX Autonomic Mark II laser bird deterrent system is a widely-used automated solution. It offers customizable settings, allowing users to adjust the timing, intensity, and coverage area of the laser. The system is highly effective, with customers reporting over 70% of bird reduction, and requires minimal maintenance once installed.

It is important to note that the lasers used for bird deterrence can be dangerous and potentially cause eye injuries. It is recommended to wear eye protection when setting up the unit, and the lasers should not be operated when people are in the vicinity. Additionally, the laser beam should not be aimed across roads to avoid causing glare if it strikes a windshield.

In addition to lasers, other methods to harass and deter starlings include the use of trained dogs, birds of prey, netting, nest removal, and various structural repairs to keep starlings away from buildings.

Removing starlings' nests

Starlings are a highly invasive species, having evolved to live alongside humans in populated urban and suburban areas. They are comfortable nesting in and around buildings and are experts at finding small spaces to build their nests. This can create fire hazards and damage structures. Their murmurations also pose a significant risk to aircraft, as even a small number of starlings can cause jet engines to fail.

To prevent this, airports employ a variety of bird control solutions, including nest removal. Here are some strategies for removing starlings' nests:

• Prevent starlings from roosting on your property before they build nests. Remove all food sources, including bird feeders, unsecured dumpsters, garbage cans, livestock feeding equipment, and pet food containers.
• Use mesh netting to create a physical barrier that prevents starlings from accessing nesting sites. This can be particularly useful for semi-enclosed areas like overhangs and aircraft carriers.
• Employ structural repair and exclusion techniques to keep starlings out of buildings. Seal up any small openings or crevices that starlings may use to enter and nest within buildings.
• Use trained dogs to chase away starlings and prevent them from nesting, feeding, or resting in the area. This method requires consistent application, as birds will return once the threat is removed.
• Install optical gel dishes along surfaces you wish to protect. Optical Gel emits the scent of peppermint oil, which starlings dislike, tricking them into thinking they see fire or smoke and deterring them from the site.
• Use avian dispersal lasers to startle and disorient starlings, causing them to flee the area. This method may be less effective in conditions with lighter ambient lighting.

Using drones to chase starlings away

Starlings are a highly invasive species, having evolved to live alongside humans. They are extremely well-adapted to living in populated urban and suburban areas, frequently nesting in and around homes and buildings. They are also highly intelligent and athletic, often flying in flocks of tens of thousands, posing a huge risk to airports. Their murmurations have the power to take down airplanes, and they have been responsible for fatal accidents.

One of the most common strategies to deter starlings is laser harassment. However, another method that has gained ground in the aviation industry is the use of drones to chase birds away. Drones are advantageous as they reduce the need for fuel and cartridges, leading to reduced costs.

There are various types of drones being used to scare birds. One such drone is the Robird, which looks and behaves like a female peregrine falcon, mimicking the predatory bird in flight. It was recently trialled at Edmonton airport in Alberta, Canada, where it successfully chased away resting birds within the airport's boundaries that posed a risk to flights. Another drone, the Aerodrone Avian Scout, takes advantage of sonic bird deterrent technologies and can withstand winds that travel at 30 knots and light rain.

Zihao Wang, a doctoral student at the University of Sydney in Australia, has also been developing a drone-based system for keeping birds away from vulnerable crops. The prototype drones carry taxidermy that looks like a dead starling and have a small but loud speaker to broadcast the sounds of a frightened starling. The system has proven to be effective in scaring away large flocks of birds, with the birds not returning to the area for the rest of the day.

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