Bird hazard

Press, 19 July 1983, Page 20

Bird hazard

Sir,.—The Airline Pilots’ Association is concerned about the danger to aircraft caused by the bird population from the refuse dump not far from the end of the Harewood runway extension. Invercargill has had the same problem. The answer is simple: just sprinkle the refuse with hydrated lime each day and no bird will touch it. If the pilots do not believe me I invite each member of the executive to, swallow one teaspoon of hydrated lime and they will not be so vocal. Last November I had both eyes

badly burned with hydrated lime and I can vouch for its effectiveness. If hydrated lime is sprinkled liberally on top of the soil when peas are just appearing through the ground, the home gardener will find the birds are not a problem. — Yours, etc., L. J. STEVENS. Oamaru, June 30, 1983.

[Mr D. B. Rich, chairman, Waimairi District Council replies: “I was interested in the suggestion of Mr Stevens, particularly as the birds in the area near the airport are spread over a wide area and are not just near the Waimairi refuse pit. The council has been receiving advice from the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Transport regarding methods of controlling the birds, and the present bird-scaring programme has been, in my view, very effective. I do not believe that the suggestion will be practicable at the tip, nor do I believe it is necessary because of the success of the bird-scaring programme and the covering of the refuse. However, the matter will be referred to the Civil Aviation Division, for consideration.”]