Birds at airports: the use of falconry

As indicated by the author himself in the introduction to the book, “everybody shapes nature, and it is good that now again something or someone reminds us of this”, so that we are more aware of nature and more careful with it.

In this sense, the protection of the environment has always been one of Aena's key objectives. However, it cannot be denied that the uncontrolled presence of birds in the airport environment poses a threat to aviation security, another primary objective of our organisation. So, ours is a problem of coexistence, a fundamental incompatibility between two very marked social demands: security in air transport and the conservation of the environment. In the search for an effective solution that will satisfy both sides, Aena has introduced the practise of falconry at the majority of its airports. That is, the use of trained birds of prey as a dissuasive measure against the flight of other types of bird within the confines of the airport..

Manuel Zugasti, an Aena professional with many years at the forefront of environmental protection, features in this book with details of his experience in the application of the ancient art of falconry to help solve the problems caused by the presence of birds on airport grounds.

Publication index:

1. Birds and airports
The airports
The fauna
The birds
The presence of birds in airports
Most significant species
Analysis
2. Control procedures
Procedure selection
Types of procedures
3. Falconry at airports
Falconry as a hunting technique
Specialities
The implementation of falconry in airports
Falconers team
Birds of prey
Auxiliary equipment
Equipment and supplementary means
Facilities
Operation
Methodology
Supplementary functions
Yields
4. Experiences at Spanish airports
Origins
Stages
Current situation
5. Conclusion
Annex 1: Most frequent birds in Spanish airports
Annex 2: Bibliography
Annex 3: Addresses of interest
Annex 4: Websites