Using hawks to chase away birds

[HiLo]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/new ... e29643656/

Is this unique to Toronto? Anyone know if it works?

[dashx]

I know Billy Bishop doesn't use it.

They don't use just hawks.. They also have an American bald eagle (named Ivan) As well as falcons and a dog.

[Driving Comet]

I know Billy Bishop doesn't use it.

They don't use just hawks.. They also have an American bald eagle (named Ivan) As well as falcons and a dog.

They're down at the island in the spring and fall. We had the falcon services down last week after the snow melted and left huge pools of water in the infield that the birds were loving. The guy has a poodle for the stubborn birds that aren't scared of the fire crackers.

[Chris M]

I remember they had a falcon/hawk in Comox, along with dog support. Here at Downsview they guy has two dogs and screaming fireworks to chase the geese away. Once they've nested he just goes in and wrangles them by hand. Speaking of which, I can see two outside my window...

[digits_]

It is occasinally used in some bigger European airports. I believe the idea is to use plastic birds but add some real birds in the mix every now and then so the smaller birds stay afraid of the plastic ones.

[Meecka]

We've got them here in YOW. Saw one take a seagull out. Pretty impressive.

[cgzro]

Quebec city has those cannons. Landed there a while ago in an open cockpit and heard bang bang bang.. thought I'd blown a head off the radial!

Not sure if it scares the birds away but scared the XXX out of me!

[co-joe]

I've heard that after a while the birds will sit on the cannon not effected at all.

I've also heard that 3 guys with 12 ga shot guns once filled 2 garbage bins with seagulls at an airport I used to work at. Just stories I'm sure.