The Birds are on the move...

Jay Honeck wrote:
We did a beautiful leaf-peeping flight up the Mississippi River to
LaCrosse, WI (KLSE) today. Our recent spate of high winds and heavy
rains had torn many of the leaves down before they could reach their
prime, but tbe golds and reds along the bluffs that line the shoreline
were still breath-taking.

Tooling along at 3500 feet just south of Prairie du Chein (KPDC) we
had our first bird encounter -- a huge flock of Canadian Geese flying
down-river ABOVE us. The sight of those beautful birds migrating en
masse to warmer climes was fantastic, but certainly gave one pause, as
we considered what each one weighed.

Our second encounter was just a few minutes later, when a V-formation
passed beneath us. and we again pondered what might happen should we
run into one of those flocks. We also noted that the geese looked
black from below, but white from above...

The third encounter occurred as we were coming into land on Rwy 36 in
LaCrosse. Three miles out and a quick blur out of the corner of my
eye. I turned my head long enough to see another V-formation whiz by
1/4 mile off our right wing.

After a nice day in LaCrosse we were again on the look-out for the
birds as we headed down-river toward home. With the strong northerly
winds aloft, we were doing over 175 knots ground speed. At that
speed we (and they) wouldn't have much time to "see and avoid", so we
decided to ignore the pretty colors and climb high, hopefully above
their preferred altitudes.

I have heard that birds, when confronted with airplanes, will
invariable *dive* to avoid us. Is this one of those "old pilot's
tales", or is it true?

According to an article on the AOPA site (search for "bird hazard")
they TEND to dive.

Which says to me your chances are better by climbing but there is no
guarantee unless you have an agreement signed by the bird that they
will always dive.

Another article I read (which I forget where at the moment) said that
at very low altitudes, i.e. short final, they tend to climb.

My one encounter with a big bird, which I think was a big hawk, at
pattern altitude, he dove, I climbed, and everyone was happy.

--
Jim Pennino

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