Anyone else had a bird strike in a light aircraft?
A short while ago, while on short final in a C182, I flew through a flock of smallish (thrush-sized) birds and heard a thump.
After landing, I checked the wing and stabilizer leading-edges and the struts, and didn’t see any damage. Then I noticed some feathers on a prop blade and blood on the engine cowling. Luckily no damage to the aircraft, although the bird wasn’t so lucky.
This was the first time for me in over 3000 flights and no pilots I know have ever mentioned bird strikes. How common is this?