Starlings at Glasgow Airport

Glasgow Airport was first opened in 1966 originally only operating internal flights in the UK. In 2013 the airport handled 7.4 million passengers to make it the eighth busiest airport in the UK.

The risk of birdstrike is unacceptable at any airport but is, unfortunately, a real risk. Air safety in and around an airport is managed by having a bird hazard management plan to safeguard air traffic and ensuring compliance with legislation.

Problem Overview

The problem bird species in this instance was the starling. It was reported that starlings had begun flocking to the airport and using the lighting columns as a night time roost. Starlings flock in large numbers and therefore posed a significant risk to flight safety so a solution needed to found quickly.

The Solution

A bird hazard management plan requires constant and regular review and AMEY, who provide the facilities management to Glasgow Airport, appointed our specialist aviation team to survey the newly upgraded lighting columns. There are many roosting opportunities around airports and surrounding areas – lighting columns, buildings, canopies, and hangers. All of which require monitoring to ensure they don’t become attractive to birds.

The problem bird species in this instance was the starling. It was reported that starlings had begun flocking to the airport and using the lighting columns as a night time roost. Starlings flock in large numbers and therefore posed a significant risk to flight safety so a solution needed to found quickly.

The original contractors had installed bird spiking but this was an ineffective solution as the starlings were able to roost between the spikes due to incorrect installation.

The Starling Deterrent Solution
There have been many innovations in bird proofing in the past but one of the most successful is the invention of bird gel. An organic substance bird it is designed to deter birds from areas where traditional bird proofing methods such as netting or spiking are impractical.

The lack of surface area to affix any bird proofing to and the need for easy access to maintenance and service purposed meant that bird gel was ideal to use on the lighting columns.

The bird gel is also a discreet bird control so is impossible or difficult to see from the ground providing an additional benefit. The gel works utilising a bird’s optical senses which see the gels UV properties as fire and so scaring away from the lighting columns. As an additional deterrent, the bird gel also has active ingredients so if brave birds do approach the columns they will be deterred by touch and smell as well.

The starling deterrent solution has ensured that the starlings have nowhere to roost and the risk to aircraft and passengers is removed.

Qualified Airport Bird Control Experts
NBC has provided bird hazard management solutions at airports throughout the UK – Aberdeen, Birmingham, Stanstead, Luton, RAF Leeming and RAF Marham to name a few. We have extensive experience operating and providing bird control solutions in these high-risk locations.

Find out more about our airport bird control methods or contact our local Glasgow pest control team.