Ongoing Training and QAWB Certification for Wildlife Biologists

Hawkeye's own Dan Frankian holds many titles and certifications - among them is being a certified Wildlife Biologist. Dan recently attended a 3-day event in Jacksonville, Florida which dealt with refreshing and expanding the knowledge and skills of wildlife biologists and an FAA-Approved 24-Hour QAWB Training course. Over the course of this event, Dan not only attended as a participant but also as a subject matter expert.

The agenda included in-depth coverage of aviation safety regulations, applicable wildlife laws, airport operations, and the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database, the completion of a capstone class project, field training, and essential tools and resources to support our ongoing work in the aviation industry. Ongoing comprehensive, FAA-compliant training is essential to support safe airport operations and effective wildlife management.

Wildlife Hazard Management and Training

Wildlife Hazard Assessment

A wildlife hazard management plan is preceded by a 3-4 day inspection, a one year long hazard assessment plan for all four seasons, and continuous monitoring the airport for 3-4 days in a row several times a year. It requires identifying areas of concern including local wildlife such as coyote, deer, birds of prey, cranes, etc.), note the largest birds in area and how many birdstrikes were reported in the previous year. Large birds such as sandhill cranes, pelicans, bald eagles, or vultures are most dangerous to aircraft if a bird strike occurrs.

Environmental Assessment

An environmental assessment considers seasonal and daytime vs. night time solutions. It also involves SNARGE - this is the examination of bird strike aftermath (particulates, carcasses, or smears) and DNA tests performed by the Smithsonian Institue in Washington, D.C. The goal is to determine what type of bird was involved in a bird strike and why it may have been in the area at the time.

Wildlife Hazard Management Plan

A management plan will include practical modifications (such as wiring, draining of swamp, etc.) in cooperation with various agencies including , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Department of Agriculture, FFWS Florida Fish and Wildlife.

Environmental Resources Permitting Wetlands and Wildlife

Dealing with wildlife in Wetlands and habitat modification when wetlands are involvdd requires separate and/or additional permits. In the U.S., wetlands modification is primarily overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Decisions on how much water can be redirectd or removed must be approved by those agencies. Modifications to wetlands are sometimes necessary to mitigate the risk of flooding.

• Managing Airport Drainage
  Drainage is one of the biggest problems facing airports and requires frequent inspection of ditches and drainage systems. Changes to ditches and neighbouring wetlands often affect airport fencing and nearby flora and fauna.
  
  
• Flora and Fauna
  It is important to know how much flora and fauna is safe and acceptable around airports in relation to how much and what type of wildlife is present. Aviation safety greatly relies on correct assessments of surrounding wildlife, its distance from the center of a runway, and the conditions which may encourage or discourage wildlife to encroach on airport property. 
  
  
• Airport Specific Habitat Considerations
  Grassy areas play a huge role with wildlife at airports. Grass must be kept short enough to not obscure wildlife and allow animals near runways undetected but not so short that it may attract geese or allow birds of prey to observe rodents on the ground and dive down. The recommended height of grass near runways is 9 inches.
  
  

Expert Training in Protected Species Surveys

• Working with Protected Species
  One must be able to identify a protected species and then determine if they pose a threat to safety. A hazard assessment and threat management plan can then be presented, in accordance with regulations on what can and cannot be done to mitigate threats. This can include habitat modification or wildlife relocation.
  
  
• Common Threats Near or On Runways
  Bald eagles, sandhill cranes, geese, turtles, and snakes
  Even a single 7-12lbs bird poses a signifant threat to an aircraft.
  
  
• Expertise in Construction and Wildlife Conflicts
  This is where experts share strategies on how to deal with protective species at construction sites.
  
  

Presentation by Dan Frankian, Wildlife Biologist

What is a Wildlife Biologist?

A wildlife biologist is a person who observes and studies the behaviors of animals and identifies a species' role in specific ecosystems and/or how they interact with human beings and operations. The ability to identify and interpret wildlife behavior is especially important around airports. For Dan Frankian of Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control, this meant 3 years of schooling, ongoing participation in FAA qualified airport wildlife biologist training courses, the ability to complete wildlife hazard assessments and to design and implement wildlife hazard management plans.

Hawkeye presented an environmental assessment for wildlife and preventing birdstrikes for an airport in Pennsylvania -  from recommendations in regards to habitat modification to bird & wildlife control and abatement/removal using falconry.

Master Falconer Dan Frankian taught the falconry and bird control/abatement portion of the program which included outlining the pros and cons:

Advantages of Falconry based Abatement

• Falconry offers excellent results for a number of species, including seagulls, gulls, grackels, geese, pigeons, doves, and swallows.
  
  
• Bird of Prey deployment can be customized to accommodate little or no interruption to airport schedule or operations.
  
  

Disadvantages of Falconry based Abatement 

• Time consuming, requires repeat efforts and is therefore costly.
  
  
• Requires expertise and a falconer with an exceptional track record in airport environments.
  
  

Contact Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control

Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control Inc. in Canada andHawkeye Bird & Animal Control LLC. in the United States have the expertise and experience to conduct wildlife hazard assessments, wildlife environmental assessments, and to design and carry out a successful, long-term wildlife management plan for any airport. Dan Frankian and the Hawkeye team of expert falconers travel around the world to keep airports, aircraft, and passengers safe. Contact Hawkeye today to discuss your needs.