Monitoring and influencing feral Canada goose (Branta canadensis) behaviour to reduce birdstrike risks to aircraft*

Abstract

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were caught and ringed at 55 moult sites within 13 km of a UK airport between 1999 and 2004. More than 2500 visits were subsequently made to some 300 sites, resulting in over 10 000 re-sightings of individual birds. The breeding, moulting and foraging ecology of individuals was used to assist in the development of a management plan to help reduce the birdstrike risk to aircraft operating out of the airport. Canada Geese were struck on 11 occasions by aircraft between 1994 and 2004. Strikes were not randomly distributed throughout the year, with four incidents occurring during the pre-breeding season and seven in the post-moult period. The breeding and moult locations of birds that were known to be involved in transiting either the airfield or its approaches were identified. Management actions including egg oiling, direct deterrence and habitat change were instigated and the effects monitored. A significant reduction in the risk to flight safety was achieved through the use of an integrated strategy based on rigorous research and monitoring protocols. This paper discusses the results of monitoring and their use to drive the management regime.