I’ve been watching birds around airports along the coast as well as inland airports, thinking about how we impact them, and observing how their natural behavior changes because of the big steel birds in their airspace. We are challenging and endangering birds.
My well-worn hat is doffed in respect and admiration to the biological birds. Decibel levels ratchet up to deafening levels when big passenger jets throttle up, the air behind a big jet is turbulent, hot and fumy but the birds strive admirably to take it all in wing stride.
Ever notice how amazingly few aerial collisions birds have? They are masters of avoiding collision in the air. There appears to be something of an air culture among birds and they kind of maneuver with consideration to avoid one another. It is impressive to watch.
Our big steel birds are very inconsiderate and don’t join in the air culture of the biological birds, so we do lose birds that get sucked into engines or chopped by props. The legendary Capt. Sully Sullenberger might have something to say about bird encounters. River landings are to be avoided, but that hero captain sure pulled off a great water landing and kept his passengers alive.
Speaking of water, Santa Barbara’s commercial airport (Santa Barbara Airport – SBA) is built on landfill with wetlands around much of it. That’s because during World War II, the Army Corps of Engineers filled in and ruined a major portion of a perfectly good navigable waterway with fantastic wetlands, which was home and nursery to about a bazillion critters.
It is my opinion that we should relocate SBA and restore the waterway and wetlands for the sake of wildlife, and to again provide the recreational opportunities (camping, fishing, canoeing, etc.) the area once provided with minimal impact to wildlife, in comparison to the asphalt and cement airport that now covers most of the historic wetlands and disrupts the natural order.
Relocating an airport is a major undertaking, however I’ve heard that grants are available to restore historic waterways and wetlands. The stakeholders and general public should have opportunities to voice opinions.
My own opinion is that I care more about critters than airports and our own airport displaces and endangers too many critters for my taste. I respect that you may feel differently.
I have fished just offshore from LAX, wearing a mask to cut down on the jet exhaust particles I’m breathing. I marvel at how seagulls, pelicans and other shore and sea birds try to stay out of the way of the big, noisy, smelly steel birds.
Near inland airports I have watched uncomfortably close encounters between airplanes and soaring birds of prey or migrating flocks of birds. Flocks of smaller birds can be decimated by big airborne engines. I cringe watching a ground squirrel trying to frantically navigate its way across a landing strip with a 747 thundering along.
It is an asphalt jungle out there! I keep thinking about what we can do to help the critters.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.