Hi Ms. Hughes,

Just a few comments about using border collies and falcons for wildlife control. I worked in the TCCA control tower for 4 years so I am well aware of the methodology.

At Pearson airport, they commonly employ the help of falcons to scare of other birds. Unfortunately the falcons don't actually know where the runways are and sometimes get in the way of landing aircraft. Also, given the large size of Pearson airport, the falcons have a lot of room to wander about as they are known to do. They only return because their handler is a known food supply.

To use falcons at the TCCA opens up new problems with the proximity of tall condominiums and even the downtown core being dangerous to these birds. Collies would require the handler to get very close to the birds to be effective (assuming they are on a leash). If they are going to drive to every bird, they don't need a dog to scare them off as the vehicle is usually enough. If the dogs are not on a leash, there will be no way to keep them off runways to avoid being hit by aircraft and they will only contribute to the problem.

Vehicles and people need to be 200ft from the runway edge to allow aircraft to continue using the surface safely. This is why the pyro (flares) are effective since they can be used from further away. I'm not a wildlife expert but I have never heard from our professionals at Pearson that the birds get habituated to the sounds. If this were the case, pyro would not be used at Pearson if it was only going to exacerbate the problem.

I wish there was an easier and quieter way of dealing with the wildlife but nearly all airports use very similar tactics. Keeping in mind the TCCAs location limitations, not all options are available to them.

Whatever the reason for the wildlife study, the fact the TPA is conducting one merits some recognition. You can't have it both ways saying on one hand they are not responsive AND they are responsive for the wrong reasons. Seek to provide meaningful and constructive input when the opportunity arises and this issue may become less frustrating for you and many others.

Take Care!
Joe