Chapter 9

Staffing Airport Bird Control Programmes

9.1 The first consideration in a bird control programme should be to implement environmental modifications make the airport unattractive to both birds and mammals. Over time it will be most effective to apply a combination of environment management programmes and special scaring techniques.

9.2 At some airports, birds may pose a problem only for a short period of time due to migration or a temporary attraction at the airport. Agricultural activity, weather or food may attract large numbers of birds that have to be scared off the airport until the attraction is removed or goes away. This is usually for a short period of time ranging from a few hours to a few weeks or a month. On the other hand, at the larger, busier airports, bird scaring goes on every day, all year to ensure that large numbers of birds are not present on the airport.

9.3 Bird scaring is usually conducted by airport staff. Staff from airport maintenance, rescue and fire fighting personnel, or security will undertake the task as required. As the amount of time required increases, it becomes more difficult to allocate these human resources from within airport personnel. When it is not possible to allot the required resources, the contracting out of airport wildlife control becomes a cost effective alternative.

9.4 The contracts should include the provision of personnel and equipment to be used for the control of birds. It should also specify that personnel have specific knowledge of airport bird problems and control measures.

9.5 When setting up a contract, it is necessary ensure that the contract addresses the following:

(a) hours of operation;

(b) species to be controlled;

(c) level of service;

(d) equipment to be provided by the contractor;

(e) accountability of contractor's staff;

(f) deviation from the contract;

(g) tendering process deficiencies; and

(h) documentation of deficiencies.

9.6 The effectiveness of the use of a contractor to control birds can be seen in the reduction of the number of birds constituting a potential hazard to aircraft operations at an airport.