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Monitoring birds at the airport.
Barn Swallows at Mount Moreland
NatGeo News Watch
Bird arrivals, departures a priority at new airport in Africa
Thousands of swallows gather on the wet land at Mount Moreland of the coast of the Indian Ocean. The birds arrive in small number but then they increase in quantity. They rise in numbers during the summer in Africa to bread. The flight path of the swallows in the way of the aircraft that arrive and depart at the new airport. Several conservation organizations are arguing that the birds can not be killed. Environmentalist observed bird patterns to help solve take off and landing flights. The airport installed a radar system to keep tabs on the coming and going of the birds. The radar system will alert the airport when massive flocks of the birds are arriving and therefore it changes the flight take offs and landings to keep the birds safe.
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/03/african-airport-slots-bird-flights.html
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/03/african-airport-slots-bird-flights.html
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Monitoring birds at the airport.
Barn Swallows at Mount Moreland
Barn Swallows
The birds don't breed in South Africa and don't build nests. They simply roost, as many as eight to a stalk, depending on the reed's strength. Easily done when one weighs less than 20 grams. Good vantage points are Umkobi Beach, the patio of the Trattoria restaurant, the lagoon shores of Marina Beach, or a friend's residence in Lower Milkwood or Umkobi lodge.
http://www.southbroom.org/barn_swallows.htm
http://www.southbroom.org/barn_swallows.htm
Bitter pill for Swallows
The Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica undertakes one of the world’s most remarkable migrations, with many individuals travelling to breed in Europe and spending the European Winter in Southern Africa. Numbers of Barn Swallows have declined across many European countries, largely as a result of pesticides and other pollutants, partly a result of intensive farming practices. Birdlife in South Africa is fully objecting to the development and instead, propose that the site be turned into a protected area, to ensure the Barn Swallows remain in the long-term.
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2006/11/La_Mercy_BarnSwallows.html
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2006/11/La_Mercy_BarnSwallows.html
Wow this is a really interesting topic. I'm glad the airports are installing radar systems to try and prevent accidents from occuring and to help save the massive flocks of birds.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ricky, since there are so many birds that come, the radar system is a necessity to the airport. the Radar system will also appease the environmentalists.
ReplyDeleteVery well put Mr. Sader..could you imagine the accidents with airplanes that could occur if they didnt put this radar system in?
ReplyDeleteit would be horrible if they didnt have this radar system, and planes took off and flew right into the turbines of of the airplanes..major disaster!
ReplyDeleteYes, there could be much tragedy without the radar system in place.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true. I guess the only other way around this problem would be to relocate the airport, but that would cost alot of time and money.
ReplyDeleteYeah too much time and money. Not many countries in the world would do that i think. Safest bet to prevent this would probably be the radar system..just about the only thing you can do.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point ricky. It seems to be working so far.
ReplyDeleteReferring to article 2: What is this article about? birds nesting?
ReplyDeleteReferring to Article 3: It's good that the birds will have a protected area, and that will increase the population's numbers.
Article 2: Thats where they feed.
ReplyDeleteArticle 3: Yes, The population of the Barn Swallows increase everyday.
Referring to article 3: Do you think the swallow population increase if the area does indeed become protected?
ReplyDeletei beleive that it will, because the planes will not bother them so more will come.
ReplyDeleteWill the area defiantly become protected?
ReplyDeleteIn response to some of the comments here...there's no possible way that a country would relocate an airport...way too much time and money for a bird. On the other hand, there is a history of planes that have crashed due to birds being sucked into the jets...obviously, precautions must be taken. It seems like a radar system would be a costly, yet effective option...I would like to know what other alternatives have been researched.
ReplyDelete