Area bird population decreases thanks to Border Collie presence
Initial wildlife management results encouraging

(Shadow stands guard in the foreground of one of Dover AFB’s C-5 Galaxy aircraft.  Area bird population has decreased substantially since her arrival.  Carter and Shadow patrol the airfield and surrounding areas several times daily. Photo by Bill Plate)
The weekly presence of more than 50,000 snow geese and 30,000 Canada geese has decreased drastically from the aircraft operating area near Dover Air Force Base since February 1, thanks in large part to the presence of Shadow, a 4 ½ year old Border Collie. 

A mere 10 weeks ago, thousands of geese could be seen primarily at the south end of the runway, near Route 9 and on Eagle Creek golf course.  A three-year wildlife management contract was awarded to Border Collie Rescue, Inc, a non-profit, national humane organization, administered at Dover AFB by Dr. Nicholas Carter, BCR Executive Director. 

Dover AFB is situated between three large wildlife refuges and along the eastern United States migratory flyway.  “The base is located less than two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which provides the perfect habitat for large migratory birds,” said Carter.  The C-5 Galaxy cargo planes are larger and slower than most military aircraft, stated Carter, but are prime targets for these birds that gather in the open airfield Dover AFB provides. 

Since 1998, collisions between birds and aircraft have caused more than $1.2 million in damage to Dover’s C-5 fleet.  The primary threats are large flocks of Canada geese, snow geese, as well as smaller flocks of seagulls and ducks.

According to Carter, geese are the most critical concern for aircraft operations at Dover AFB as large flocks of the birds (100 up to 20,000 individuals) congregate just outside of the base perimeter fence in the cultivated fields of neighboring farms.

Within a month of the programs’ beginning, the weekly bird population decreased to counts slightly more than 1,000 geese - an impressive 99.1 percent reduction in bird numbers in a 28-day period.  All of this was accomplished with one wildlife officer, a single Border Collie and one patrol vehicle. 

“This result has been accomplished while the number of snow geese in the surrounding area has increased significantly over the past month,” added Carter.  Figures from bird surveys by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control show the number of snow geese in Delaware during the same time frame increased by more than 50 percent while the number of snow geese in the Bombay Hook wildlife area increased by more than 31percent.  “These birds are pretty smart.  They’re simple vacating the area immediately surrounding the airfield, but are remaining in Delaware in equal numbers,” he said.

Throughout the month of March, wildlife control efforts were focused on the migratory waterfowl outside the base perimeter.  “All traces of snow geese have been excluded from the AOA, while a few stubborn Canada geese still remain in the area,” noted Carter.   Patrols with differing times throughout the day offer the best opportunity to clear the area of any bird population. 

“Our C-5 pilots have reported birds gathering just outside the border collie-patrolled “zone,” stated Master Sgt. Dan Wood, non-commissioned officer in charge, 436 AW Flight Safety.  “The wildlife control results for the past two months have been truly impressive,” stated Wood.  “We’re looking forward to the border collies expertise and additional control efforts to help keep our airfield clear of wildlife hazards.”

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