DVIDS – News – AAFB Airmen Improve BASH, Flight Safety with Bird Banding

The 97th Air Mobility Wing’s Flight Safety Office and the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Environmental Office have partnered to study doves’ migration patterns using a banding technique.

Banding is a tool used by wildlife biologists to track and manage different animal populations. Mourning Doves are the most common birds struck by aircraft and therefore are the primary focus of banding at the AAFB.

“Altus AFB complies with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by using conservation measures to minimize negative impacts of the mission on migratory birds,” said Kelly Niland, natural resources program manager for the 97th CES. “Keeping the doves away by removing habitat around the airfield reduces their risk of being killed by aircraft and reduces the need for depredation to prevent base strikes.”

Adam Kohler, wildlife biologist with the 97th AMW, explains that when information is collected from the bird with a band, the flight safety office stores it in an extensive system that tracks migratory movements.

“Every time someone sees or captures a bird, they can bring that information back,” Kohler said. “This information is used…to track large populations across the entire United States”

Bird strikes can cause serious problems if thrown into an engine. To avoid this, wildlife biologists adopt different approaches such as habitat relocation, dispersal or lethal control, and dove hunting.

“(Dove hunting is) intended to boost morale and supplement the program by eliminating species frequently implicated in airstrikes,” Niland said. “It also helps the ecosystem when invasive pigeons and European collared doves are harvested.”

The BASH program electronically rings birds to easily track their movements through the area. Electronic banding is called the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, which uses radio telemetry over large distances.

“We’re going to set up a series of antennas that receive radio transmissions from electronic tapes and can track multiple species of birds,” Kohler said. “This system is used all over the United States, so we would be giving information to other researchers while getting their information.”

Bird banding not only prevents damage to aircraft, but also provides a means for environmental and safety offices to ensure flight crew safety while executing Altus’ mission. AFB.