By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A new study indicates that certain structures near airports could increase the risk of
plane-goose collisions.

That conclusion follows months of tracking geese near Midway Airport in Chicago.
Researchers were working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to find ways to alter
goose habitats to reduce risks to air traffic.

“Such a big bird poses a little bit bigger risk to smaller aircraft,” lead study author and
University of Illinois graduate student Ryan Askren said. “And the ‘Miracle on the
Hudson’ hit a whole flock of geese. They are a flocking bird, and they typically travel in
dozens, not just by themselves. So there’s always that chance that an aircraft could impact
multiple birds instead of just one and causing more damage.”

Scientists used GPS transmitters to track the location and movement of Canada geese
during the winter months. The information gathered pointed to a couple of unexpected
conclusions.

“We were really surprised to see that geese were remaining in the city all winter long,
just living off grass,” Askren said. “We were also surprised how much geese were on
rooftops and in rail yards. We knew they went out there, but we didn’t know to what
extent, especially in winter.”

Asken said proximity to food sources wasn’t the most important factor in choosing a
habitat for the geese.

“Where there’s food, there are typically animals,” Askren said. “But it looks like geese
are choosing areas to use around the city based on more disturbance. Where they can get
away from people, dogs, and other predators? That’s where we think that use of rooftops
and rail yards is really being driven by.”

The fact that geese are spending time away from food sources means they must fly to eat.
It’s at those times that the study suggests the birds are crossing the airspace used for
runway approaches. This new information could influence how airports try to address the
problem.

“We can string wires across rooftops and make it so they can’t land there,” Asken said.
“There’s some sign that harassments could be effective. We have little pyrotechnics, like
firecrackers, that we can launch near them.”

Researchers say the findings could be useful for all cold-weather airports, but especially
for those with immediate proximity to heavily-populated areas with many rooftop
structures. An increase in green spaces at a proper distance from the airport also could
help.

“Maybe just kind of offering up these sacrificial areas,” Asken said. “Areas that are just
really appealing for geese away from the airport, influencing them to go to places like
that. We don’t want to attract any more birds to the habitats right around the airport, but
further away something like that could work.”

Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].