Machinbird, you are correct, with good local knowledge and practice you can and see large birds. I also agree with your comments about using common sense about using runways with known active bird problems, I would not either.
A little food for thought on small birds, they can be dangerous, not individually, but flocks of starlings have been very deadly.
As for the US1549 accident and the potential avoidance I am of the opinion that based on the aircraft attitude and bird direction it would have been very difficult to see the birds.