I recall a Pan Am Academy big meeting of instructors and pilots, late 1980s.
Subject was bird strikes, probably we had scored a few in preceeding weeks.
A few things we discussed was birds avoidance.
And yes, there was a bird expert, maybe a zoologist or ornithologist.
My only interest in birds is when they are in my dish.
xxx
First thing, is our weather radar.
Some say "put WX Radar ON" for takeoff, as it scares the birds.
But our question was (we dumb pilots), what do they do when scared...?
Do they decide to takeoff, as you scare them with your microwaves.
Or do they digest their last worm in the grass, until you are gone.
So, WX Radar, there was no consensus as to what was better.
xxx
Then we learned about the birds, and how they get their licence to fly.
The chicken expert ornithologist, told us that birds have a wind sock.
Our feathered friends went to a FTO to learn to takeoff AGAINST the wind.
Just like our aeroplanes and Skygods do.
Bird tailwind limitations unknown to me, sorry.
xxx
So, our turkey expert told us, they will takeoff upwind.
Flock of birds RH of runway, and wind coming from your LH, they will cross your path.
Apparently, birds use existing wind to improve their second segment gradient.
They forgot to disregard the wind factor in their theory classes.
And radar or not, your engine noise will scare them = bird takeoff clearance.
xxx
Sorry if I upset the UK Audubon Society, for me, my bird interest is KFC...
And in any case, I prefer an Argentina filet cube, medium rare.
And this 3 hours PanAm meeting was for the birds, anyway.
xxx
Happy contrails