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BORDER COLLIE
RESCUE, INC
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BIRD STRIKE CONTROL PROGRAM
A Comparison of Wildlife Dispersal Methods
Report
shells are effective short-term deterrents for birds and other wildlife. The
main problem associated with this form of deterrence is habituation. Birds soon
learn that these sounds present no danger to them and remain on site despite
their continued usage. Report shells can also take time to prepare, which makes
them unsuitable for the quick clearance of birds.
Solution
Birds and wildlife do not habituate to Border Collies since the dogs always present a threat to them and are continually moving and changing behavior. Border Collies are always prepared to be released for dispersing birds, enabling a much quicker clearance.
The use of pyrotechnics is very labor intensive and it gives rise to FOD on runways, which can present a danger in and of itself to aircraft traffic. Birds may habituate to pyrotechnics and they are not effective against all species. In dry weather there is a degree of fire hazard associated with these devices.
Solution
Border Collies do not create any FOD (they typically won't even take a bathroom break while working) nor are they a fire hazard. Though they require attention in upkeep and care, setup labor is nonexistent. All that is necessary is to load the dog into the truck for travel out to the site.
Gas cannons can be a hazard when they are used during flying hours because their random firing may cause birds to fly into the path of an aircraft. Cannons are also generally only effective in dispersing waterfowl. They must be recharged regularly.
Solution
Since Border Collies are under the direct control of a handler, they disperse
wildlife only in prescribed areas and at the direction of the handler. They
can be called off at the approach of an aircraft, avoiding potentially dangerous
dispersals. Border Collies are also effective against most forms of birds and
larger wildlife, not simply waterfowl. 
Airside workers and the general public may consider the noises that these products make an annoyance. Habituation is also a primary concern.
Solution
Border Collies are silent workers, rarely barking when chasing down wildlife or birds. Though some birds may frighten initially when they hear the approach of a barking dog, the silent rush attacks of a Border Collie prove far more effective in long-term deterrence.
With few exceptions, birds and wildlife will only respond to distress cries of their own species. Playback equipment must be of good quality for best results. Sound and playback units are expensive and require a power source to operate. Hearing protection is required for personnel working near alarms. Some species, particularly gulls, may circle over the sound source for several minutes before dispersing. Distress cries do not repel pigeons, doves, or gulls. Habituation, although slow, is likely if the units are not moved frequently. Good recordings do not exist for many species. Since these are auditory cues, air traffic, wind, or distance will diminish or negate their deterrence effect.
Solution
Border Collies, being top predators, elicit flight reactions from almost all forms of wildlife and birds. Dispersal relies on visual cues, so noise does not affect the efficacy of their actions. They require no power source and can go just about anywhere.
Chemical repellants are best used in indoor or very protected outdoor applications, as their repellent properties do not stand up well to variable weather conditions and dust. Some of them require specific application procedures and occasional renewal to be fully effective. Many are toxic to the environment or nontarget species and some are not biodegradable. With the large area of most airports, application across all vegetation becomes impractical, particularly if it must be consistently reapplied.
Solution
Border Collies can be used in almost all environments, including taller grass areas (which discourage many bird species), woods, and open water or marshlands. The dogs are environmentally friendly and a single dog and handler can cover large expanses of land.
The application of visual repellents to airport control programs is not particularly suitable or effective. Most visual repellants are predator models. They must be moved frequently if they are to be effective, and flags and streamers have to be replaced fairly often as breakage occurs. Broken parts may get on runways and be picked up as FOD. Owl models in open areas will probably attract crows. Some repellents may be hazardous to aircraft because they could be ingested into a jet engine. Many deteriorate rapidly and must be replaced and others are easily damaged by high winds, including the winds generated by aircraft.
Solution
Border Collies are true predators, representing an actual, not perceived, threat to wildlife. They ceaselessly change location and can continue their deterrence work over the course of their lifetime, well over ten years.
Raptors cannot fly for long periods of time (generally under a half an hour) and cannot be utilized multiple times in one day. If they make a single kill (which happens regularly), their work is concluded for that day and they often cannot fly for several days after they have been fed. They also cannot scare away larger birds such as geese or cranes, which are far more dangerous to aircraft at impact than smaller species. The cost and complexity of using raptors makes a program difficult to maintain, including the training, licensing, and full-time employment of experienced falconers. A steady supply of trained raptors is rarely available. Falconry is of limited use in bad weather conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or high winds. Raptors are also unavailable to work while in stages of their yearly molts. Raptors cannot be recalled once they have begun their flight. They cannot be stopped upon the approach of a plane.
Solution
Border
Collies have been bred to run a hundred miles a day and will work for hours
on end. They can work daily for long periods of time and rarely tire. Not only
can they deter the largest of birds, particularly Canadian geese, but are also
highly effective against larger wildlife like deer and rabbits. Border Collies
are also bred not to harm wildlife, including birds, so they can be employed
in dispersing protected or endangered species of birds or mammals. In some states,
they are the only legal method of dispersing protected birds. A single Border
Collie and handler can easily maintain an area of approximately 2 square miles
free of larger birds and wildlife. Border Collies can also be trained to work
in tandem, which can cover even larger areas of land and bigger flocks of birds.
The training of a handler is relatively easy and no licensing or prior experience
is necessary. The Border Collie can live as part of an employee's family and
travel to work each day with its handler. A steady supply of trained Border
Collies is readily available through Border Collie Rescue and each dog is capable
of working year-round, in almost all but the worst weather conditions. Border
Collies can be stopped at any point in time, by either recalling the dog to
the handler or lying the dog down. If a plane approaches, a single command will
stop a Border Collie immediately, allowing the aircraft to takeoff or land in
safety, without birds taking flight in their path.
