Operations Manual
4.7 Wildlife Hazard Management
Responsibility - Chief Executive / Operations Manager / Wildlife Officer / RFS Contractor
Requirement - Rule 139.71
Documentation - Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and Airport Rescue Fire Manual, AC139-16
4.7.1 Situation
New Plymouth Airport is a coastal airport surrounded on three sides by farmland which is used for
predominantly dairy and horticultural purposes and on the fourth side by cliff formations. In addition,
the operational area of the airfield has large areas of grassland. This environment is extremely
attractive to birds.
4.7.2 Overview
Both proactive and reactive techniques are used to mitigate wildlife hazards. Birds are considered to
be the most significant wildlife hazard. The Wildlife Hazard Management Plan involves the use of
rescue fire service personnel, a delegated Wildlife Officer, grass maintenance and spraying
techniques, bird scaring devices, lethal and non-lethal techniques.
4.7.3 Programme
Details of this programme are provided in the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, Airport Rescue Fire
Manual and within the Airport’s on file resources.
4.7.4 Problem Species
The following birds have been identified as problem species at New Plymouth Airport:
• Finch
• Swallow
• Lark
• Magpie
• Sparrow
• Black gull
• Oystercatcher
• Spur-wing plover
• Hawk
4.7.5 Overview
The elements of the New Plymouth Airport bird control programme are:
• An active campaign by an Airport Wildlife Officer and Rescue Fire Service staff on the airfield
to scare, disturb or kill birds. The staff involved will drive to the location of bird activity, sound
horn and/or use bird scaring devices. This includes bird scaring shot gun and/or bird deterring
laser.
• Firearms with live ammunition, “birdfrite” or similar approved cracker cartridges as well as
pyrotechnics may be used.
• Use of all non-operational grass areas for hay and silage making, thus reducing the
attractiveness of these areas to plovers and other species.
• Application of spray to kill grubs and worms and thus reduce the availability of food on grass
runways and taxiways as and when required.
• Grass mowing to a specified height.
4.7.6 Bird Hazard Reports
Electronic bird hazard reports for New Plymouth Airport are received by the Airport management from
CAA on a monthly and quarterly basis. These are analysed and evaluated in conjunction with data
collected by the Airport on a frequent basis to assess the effectiveness of the overall wildlife hazard
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management programme. Reports are loaded into the Airport’s BWARE reporting system to assist in
identifying trends and patterns within bird scaring effectiveness and activities. Copies of reports from
the CAA are also sent to the Airport Wildlife Officer and RFS personnel.
Wildlife hazard data is stored in the
WHM Trend Analysis Register
4.7.7 Population Control and Bird Scaring
The Airport Wildlife Officer and RFS staff are responsible for wildlife population control and bird
scaring. Only staff who hold valid firearms licences are authorised to kill or scare problem birds as per
the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
Firearms are held by the Airport and the RFS Contractor in secure locations in strict accordance with
the Firearms Act. Where birds or other animals are destroyed by shooting, carcasses should be
disposed of in accordance with the Wildlife Disposal Procedure
. Where species are protected, the
terms of the Department of Conservation Permit to disturb or kill protected species are to be
observed.
4.7.8 Grass Maintenance
Grass runways, taxiways and grass verges to runways and taxiways are kept mown. Other areas
outside the airfield operational boundary are leased for the purpose of hay and silage making. Grass
is permitted to grow outside the grass runways, taxiways and verges and, depending on the season,
may range in height from 40-70mm in accordance with the New Plymouth Airport Wildlife Hazard
Management Plan
4.7.9 Food Source Control
Regular sampling of the mown areas of the aerodrome is undertaken to assess the levels of food
available to birds on the airfield. This is carried out by taking turf samples (approx. 300mm x 300mm)
from areas where birds are congregating and which are checked for the presence of grass-grub,
porina and worms. This sampling is undertaken routinely to ensure food sources are maintained at
minimal levels.
The Airport operates an annual spraying schedule with a third-party contractor to ensure that food
sources are eliminated.
4.7.10 Other Wildlife Hazard Management
Stock or other animals identified on any operational areas of the airfield must be managed and
removed in accordance with the Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
Any confirmed sightings of stock and/or animals on any of the operational areas of the aerodrome must
be immediately communicated to the duty Air Traffic Control Officer who shall inform any aircraft that may
be affected.
The duty Air Traffic Control Officer shall request RFS or the Airport Wildlife Officer remove, contain or
destroy (last resort) the stock and/or animals. RFS and/or the Wildlife Officer must report the incident to
the Operations Manager.
As an additional resource, the Animal Control Officer department at New Plymouth District Council will
be notified to assist in capturing, destroying and removal of stock/animals.
Regular boundary inspections are completed with reporting on conditions and any breaches of
fencing, secured gates or restricted access areas.
4.8 Notification of Aerodrome Data and Information
Responsibility - Chief Executive / Operations Manager
Requirement - Rule 139.77(a)(11), 139.73, 139.76
Documentation - AIPNZ and related ACNZ/CAA procedures, AC139-9
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