I am
not saying "carry on regardless", but I am disagreeing with a "hard" Land ASAP for (every) Birdstrike.
In the RAF (trainers / FJ) it tended to be a Pan / Land ASAP / Low Speed Handling Check. However, in the airline world, it is pretty much "carry on regardless" in the absence of any definitive evidence of a need to land e.g. birdstrike on departure from EBB (and these are proper birds, not the UK midget variety), continue to LHR is personal experience.
As ever, it is a Captaincy risk assessment, taking into account the circumstances / evidence / judgement. GA / Piston types are less vulnerable, and sometime time spent assessing the problem, ensuring you land somewhere with a decent runway, plan the approach Low Speed check? might see continuing to destination a valid plan. Emergency handling needs to consider the "time" aspect, and rarely will a birdstrike be time critical - and if it is, it will be immediately apparent (engine stopped!)
Avoiding Bird Strikes - as above - use forward facing lights, do
not dive under them - if you feel a need to do something, you are probably better off ducking yourself
NoD