Flight Updates
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Wildlife Management Program
WAA actively manages a bird and wildlife control program for the Airport. The objective of the wildlife management program is to minimize the risk of aircraft and animal strikes. The management strategy was developed and has evolved with reference to the Transport Canada’s bird control manual.
A number of management approaches are applied consecutively to maximize the effectiveness of the program:
- The airfield is fenced to keep out deer and other large animals.
- Vegetation is managed to minimize habitat attractiveness. Techniques include turf maintenance and planting of agricultural species such as timothy that do not provide food for migrating birds and other species.
- Habitat modification techniques are used to deter waterfowl from nesting or staging at the Airport during migration season. Infrastructure is designed to drain water away to minimize the attractiveness of the Airport to waterfowl.
- Appropriate harassment techniques are used to move wildlife away from flight paths and deter wildlife from taking up permanent residence on the airfield. Bird scaring devices such as noise cannons and screamer and banger shells are regularly used.
- Occasionally live trapping of wildlife or nest removal will also occur when appropriate.
The culling of birds and species such as rodents that attract predators is a wildlife control technique that is only used when other techniques have not been effective. This is the least preferred option and is seldom used.
Invasive Species Management
Invasive species refer to flora and fauna that are growing outside of their region of origin and out-competing native species. They have a distinct advantage over native species whose populations are kept in check by native predators, disease or competitors. An unchecked advance of invasive species in and around Manitoba's waterways could result in the loss of unique ecosystems and native species.
Invasive species are monitored regularly by WAA during surface water sampling and field inspections. Sightings are reported to the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba, the group which tracks this information province-wide. Volunteer monitoring and public reporting are key components of this Provincial program.
Purple Loosestrife Control Program
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) is an invasive species that has been observed on Airport property. This weed aggressively invades water courses and wetlands, out-competing native vegetation which provides cover and food sources for wildlife and aquatic species. It was brought from Europe over two centuries ago because of its attractive purple blooms, and has spread across North America. Each plant has the capability of producing millions of seeds annually, and has no natural biological controls. The City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba have developed programs to address the spread including dispersal of the Purple Loosestrife beetle, the only known predator.
Conscious of the destructive nature of purple loosestrife to riparian areas, WAA has implemented a Purple Loosestrife Control Program intended to curb the spread on Airport property and adjacent Municipal lands. Management techniques are consistent with Provincial and City efforts and include manual removal, seed head destruction and the release of the Purple Loosestrife beetle.
West Nile Virus
Transmitted by mosquitoes, the West Nile Virus has become more common in Manitoba over recent years. Though the majority of mosquitoes do not carry the virus, it is important to conduct proper management of the insect to ensure it is not readily spread. Most often seen in the months of July, August and September, the spread of the virus will depend on such factors as precipitation, temperature, and mosquito population.
People are at risk of infection if bitten by mosquitoes that have previously bitten an infected bird. The West Nile Virus Bird Surveillance Program, initiated by Manitoba Conservation and enacted by Health Links, involves the collection of wild birds from the corvid family (crows, ravens, magpies, bluejays, and greyjays) when deceased birds are found under unusual circumstances. WAA participates in this surveillance program, and sends any unusual bird remains found on Airport property to the Province. WAA tries to further stop the spread of the virus by decreasing potential mosquito habitat such as standing water and long grasses.
For further information on the West Nile Virus.
