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.

Thursday, 17 January 2013

Charlotte airport works to reduce plane, bird hits


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Charlotte Douglas International Airport is working to reduce the number of bird collisions with aircraft.

The Charlotte Observer reported that aircraft collided with wildlife 125 times last year. That's slightly better than the 140 incidents reported in 2011. Almost all of the collisions involved birds.

But officials are concerned because there were only 29 such incidents a decade ago. Part of the increase is because of increased flights and better reporting.

Airport officials patrol each day and will try to compile a census of all local wildlife species.

Airport wildlife expert David Castaneda sometimes uses noise makers to scare away the birds. But he says the best defense is to make the airport property unattractive to the birds.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the airport's program meets federal regulations.

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