Bird Nuisance at an Oil Gathering Station: A Landscape and Site Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a migratory bird. In Petapahan Gas Station (GS), Riau, this bird roost in a big number and create some nuisance due to their faeces. The objective of this paper was to analyse the possible causes of swallow’s roost behaviour at the landscape and site level, and formulate some recommendations. Migratory bird route was studied, the surrounding areas was analysed using, and characteristics of the GS was observed. Petapahan happened to be located at the known bird migratory route. The land-use of surrounded areas was a vast area of oil-palm plantation mixed with agricultural-area, open-area, and housing, create an excellent habitat for insects as the bird’s food. There was no other alternative for roost-site in the 5km radius. At the GS there are many large pipes, small pipes, handrails, I-beams, C-beams, valves, flares, big tanks, pits, office, and many other instruments that can function as the barn swallow’s roost site. Warm temperature, sufficient lighting, and safety from predator also provided good support. Basically, the GS has to accept the occurrence of the birds, while employing some management actions: (1) setting zonation for bird-free and bird-tolerance areas, and (2) put netting and other bird deterrent sensitive sites.