Why would this be
totally bogus? The problem of bird strike by planes is a real one. Sure the risk is low. My recollection from having
analysed and compiled the reports from the relevant authority in Australia when I studied this issue some years ago (1988 I think), was that Canberra is not as big a problem as Townsville and Adelaide were but the issues are real. Bird habitat (for big birds)
under the flight path is the major issue for bird strike reduction. About a year ago when there was a flock of (I think) hornets doing a very low and even more noisy pass over the area, as part of some display, a flock of high flying ibis that I observed there
would have been on a collision course only a minute or two earlier. I can only tell from the ground but it sure looked to me like the planes would have needed to take evasive action if they were there a minute earlier. At the speed of their travel I think
it would be hard to plan for this and I think birds would struggle to get out of the way. Flying in close formation I expect the pilots would have been competent and trained but it sure looked potentially scary to me at the time.
Philip
From: Martin Butterfield
Sent: Monday, 25 April, 2016 1:01 PM
To: COG List
Subject: [canberrabirds] A day of large wading birds
As we headed out of Queanbeyan this morning a Great Egret was wadfing in the dam opposite the end of Sutton rd beside Yass Rd. 2 White-faced herons also present. Later as we drove down the Majura
Parkway towards Pilligo a White-necked Heron (and a White-faced Heron) were wading in a small water body. Finally, as we came past the airport Frances spotted at least 20 Straw-necked Ibis grazing on a lawn.
Given the (IMHO totally bogus) concerns of the airport about birds from Kellys Swamp perhaps they should plough up their lawns as they are obviously a potential hazard right under the flight path.
