We introduced a so-called 'long grass' policy here in the UK at civil and Royal Air Force aerodromes in the 1970's. (The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy continue with a radically different birdstrike reduction philosophy). Actually, this is part of a carefully managed habitat control regime. The grass is kept at 200-250 mm for much of the year, especially when the invertebrates in the topsoil are an attractant for smaller flocking birds, starling, lapwing etc. This policy AT A STROKE reduced bird populations on aerodromes by over 50%. Thus, we've avoided a disastrous strike on a flock of such birds. However, as the CAA's leaflet points out, there is concern about the increase in numbers of large flocking birds, such as Canada Geese. Just confining our activities to the aerodrome simply won't do to combat this threat, so we look in a 5NM radius all around us.
Thanks, Richard, for the pointer to yet another valuable resource. All knowledge gratefully received. I'll pass it on to
my colleague at LGW who specialises in bird control.
BTW, is it possible that the company that asks its crews to turn on the wx radar are doing so as a bottom-covering exercise? A bit sad if it's so.
The Odd One