Kamakazi Birds

[jayteeto]

I have just had to change my underwear after a night birdstrike at 1000' over aintree racecourse. Blood and guts over the nosecone but no damage, what a bang though!!
My question is... What birds other than owls, fly at night? This week there have been thousands of migrating ducks and geese overhead. Do they night fly?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Do they night fly?

Yep.. also Redshanks, StoneCurlews and other large items which can cause damage. Some smaller birds too, including Redwings and Fieldfares, but I do not know which other species.

[lomapaseo]

Migrating birds typically fly at night and feed and lounge during the day at unfamiliar locations where they can easily see predators.

They can be a big pain at both locations.

[henry crun]

It is thought that adult Godwits migrate from Alaska to New Zealand nonstop.

That is about 11,000kms, so there must be a fair amount of night flying in that trip.

I have also read of geese flying at night during their migration down the west coast of Canada and the USA.

[ShyTorque]

I have seen large Canada Geese formations flying in UK at night, in the moon light, especially at this time of year. Lapwings too.

I also had a heavy bird strike over Victoria harbour during a night casevac, never found out what it was, but the bird was so large it blocked out the cultural lighting and the moon for a split second before it hit, just above the windscreen. :ooh:

[alexban]

maybe some gees with IFR certifications....:)
you've just hit one without TCAS,old stuff...