As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday 15 June 2018

Royal Navy bird of prey Oddbod keeps the skies safe at RNAS Culdrose



The 18-year-old one-eyed peregrine merlin has a very special job

Meet the special bird that has been keeping the skies of Cornwall safe for flyers for the last 18 years. This is a peregrine merlin cross-breed affectionately named Oddbod by staff at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose at Helston.

Despite being blind in one eye, Oddbod is an exceptional bird, having reached his 18 birthday on Monday (June 4). Most peregrine merlins only live up to 15 years.

He is part of a team of birds which are used to keep the runways at RNAS Culdrose safe by scaring aware wild birds which could be a danger to aircraft.

Culdrose has its own Airfield Wildlife Control Unit, designated in typical Naval fashion by the abbreviation AWCU.

Sahra-Lee Thomas, the AWCU supervisor, said: “Birds are the biggest threat to arriving and departing aircraft and the unit proactively uses pyrotechnics, recorded bird distress calls and birds of prey to move wild birds away from the runways and manoeuvering areas.


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