On Sat, 27 Mar 1999, Sandra C. Andersen. wrote:

> On today's KING 5 news it was stated that the folk at the Renton airport
> plan to kill 50 or so Canada
> Geese that are a hazard to airplanes. The City Council will be bringing up
> this issue. My questions, haven't there been airports where they have
> brought in a "falconer" to use trained raptors to spook off the birds? Has
> it worked?Could this be done in Renton?

Sandi et al--

In most of the cases I'm aware of, Spokane AFB, Logan Airport,
Boston, and someplace in CA, there has been some success flying
falcons on smaller birds that flock...starlings, pigeons,
etc. the problem they had was the flocks were so large that
many birds could be sucked into the jet intakes, which could
disable the motor. Geese are a growing problem everywhere and
I don't believe there is a falcon remedy for them. There, are
however, a few falconers who are licensed for Golden Eagles..
they are only allowed to take an eagle when it is predating
livestock and there's no other way to get the predating bird
out of the area. Perhaps one of them might be able to help
with that as nothing gets waterfowl "up" more quickly than
an eagle overhead.

Tom