Airport runways and surrounding areas can be pristine habitat for many grassland/prairie species. Raptors such as hawks and owls use airport grasslands and weedy areas to hunt for small rodents and other mammals. A great example of an airport raptor, the snowy owl, migrates from the arctic tundra in the summer to parts of southern Canada and the United States in the winter. Many American airports turn into the perfect habitat for migrating snowy owls once winter hits because the terrain mimics a tundra habitat perfect for owls. This unfortunately leads to snowy owls repeatedly getting hit by planes.
Figure 1: Snowy Owl at Airport by Caitlin Reilly
While on the lookout for wildlife in and around aerodrome areas, there are some places that we would never have thought to find them. Here are 5 of those places you might encounter them.
1. Parked Planes
Parked planes can make a surprisingly good habitat for a variety of wildlife that enjoy the cool and shaded habitat. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, many planes were grounded in “airplane graveyards” causing parked planes in desert environments to see an uptick of rattlesnakes under planes and even inside plane engines.
2. Wastewater Treatment Plants
Wastewater treatment plants attract more than just trash, they attract bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts, but why? Sewage treatment facilities end up becoming hotspots for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl species because they are essentially large pools of water and have a relatively low human activity. With these species of birds coming in large numbers to nest, feed, and breed, predators such as raptors and bird eating mammals follow. These facilities turn into large habitats with complete food chains. Wildlife hazard management doesn't just involve the management of wildlife but its neighbouring stakeholders largely play a part too.
3. Construction Sites
Construction sites due to the vast expansion of airports around the world have unintentionally created microhabitats when ground is being moved; the un-level surfaces cause ponding when rain occurs. This ponding and the presence of retention/detention ponds throughout a site is perfect for shorebirds and waterfowl. Another factor that can attract wildlife is the lack of landscaping and mowing of vegetation, plants/weeds start to grow tall enough to provide grassland and wetland bird species with an ideal environment.
4. Solar Panels
Solar panel installations have rapidly increased globally as people start the shift to sustainable forms of energy. Many airports are starting to use airport green spaces to install solar panels. These solar panel installations unintentionally become great shaded areas for birds to lay eggs and for reptiles/other small animals to take refuge. This habitation is even more prevalent in hot or desert areas with animal species hiding from the heat of the day. Balancing sustainable measures without attracting unwanted species will become a recurring theme with any new solar panel installation.
5. Drains
Water=life. Any body of water is going to attract wildlife, even drainage areas. Drains and canals around airport areas can attract small fish, crustaceans, and amphibians which bring in the large fishing bird species like herons and egrets.
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