Feathered friends bypass Albany airport planes (NY)

[Donna]

Bird strikes were cut nearly in half at the Albany International Airport in 2009 compared to the previous year, following stepped-up efforts to keep potentially dangerous birds and wildlife away from aircraft during takeoffs and landings.
   
There were 28 reported bird strikes last year compared to 47 in 2008, none serious enough to cause any injuries or to disable a plane.

"We've taken a lot of steps to help reduce the hazards of bird strikes," said airport spokesman Doug Myers.

The issue of bird strikes became major news on Jan. 15, 2009, when moments after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York City the pilot of US Airways flight 1549, Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III radioed air traffic control and said the plane had suffered a "double bird strike" and had become disabled. Sullenberger became a national hero for ditching the loaded plane into the Hudson River, averting tragedy.

There were more than 108,000 bird strikes reported nationwide between 1990 and 2009, equivalent to about one strike for every 10,000 flights, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA said 92 percent of the bird strikes occurred below 3,000 feet.

Albany International Airport in Colonie uses an arsenal of noise to harass and divert birds and other wildlife, including a dozen propane-fueled cannons that fire random booms of air; pistols that fire Screamer Siren and Bird Banger cartridges, which resemble fireworks; and the occasional shotgun with live rounds. Going lethal is a last resort.

In addition to increased patrols, airport workers regularly consult with USDA Wildlife Services officials. That collaboration led to a change in allowing the grass along runways to grow longer, up to 8 inches tall, to discourage birds of prey from swooping down to snatch unsuspecting rodents because the long grass snags on their wings.

Despite a downward trend of bird strikes, there were some increases in wildlife reports from 2008 to 2009: Ducks (from 4 to 14); geese (from 56 to 96); gulls (from 33 to 40); and hawks (from 5 to 14).

Coyote sightings dropped from 32 to 4.