Bird/Aircraft Hazards Associated with Migration of Large Birds in Congested Air Routes.
Abstract
A total of 12 Whistling Swans were harnessed with transmitters. The first two were harnessed at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in February and have not been reported since then. The rest of the radios were put on swans at the Blackwater Wildlife Center in March. One of these swans migrated abnormally late and one swan died of apparent lead poisoning. The group located all eight of the remaining radios in the Detroit area after tracking precisely by plane five of the seven radios from Maryland. A flight history of altitude, route, speed, etc., is available. Five of the swans were relocated in North Dakota and one in Minnesota. Two of the five were tracked by plane into Saskatchewan. Important information on evasive action of swans to small aircraft was obtained. An important aspect of predictability of hazard of large waterfowl to aircraft is the need for knowledge of how many birds are massing in staging areas. Air photo flights were made just prior to the major Chesapeake migration and where possible ground counts were made as well as how altitude photography. These three methods are being analyzed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0764830
Entities
People
- William J. L. Sladen
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University