Aviation Ornithology

OTS has provided ornithological services to the aviation industry since 2003. We are based in Perth, Western Australia, but our reach is international, including clients in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

We deliver a wide range of ornithological, faunal and botanical expertise focusing on practical and scientific solutions for managing wildlife hazards at airports. OTS have developed several CASA compliant wildlife hazard management plan (WHMP) templates that fit the needs of capital, regional and mine site airports that comply with federal and state legislation. Our plans are developed according to the specific logistic and ecological aspects of the individual airport.

At OTS we understand the challenges faced by smaller airports and have developed systems that suit the requirements of regional airports coupled with an ongoing commitment on the part of OTS to provide support and systems maintenance.

Wildlife Hazard Management Plans

Alongside more general Wildlife Hazard Management Plans, OTS also designs and delivers specialised WHMPs for airports.

Along with an assessment of land uses and habitat types in the area, a risk rating is calculated for each bird species occurring on or near an airport. Targeted management strategies are then developed for any species that fit into a high-risk hazard rating.

Wildlife risk management software systems designed by OTS allow airports to effectively and efficiently achieve compliance with state, national and international regulations while remaining cost effective.

Integrated Wildlife Management

OTS recommends a range of integrated wildlife managment strategies for a holistic approach to managing wildlife on airports, and OTS is able to provide all wildlife management services required. OTS frequently provides the following examples of wildlife management services to airports, in various combinations:

• Routine wildlife monitoring

• Wildlife risk assessment, data analysis, reporting, and action triggers

• Habitat-level wildlife management

• Passive wildlife management

• Active wildlife management

• Wildlife hazard management planning, review, and compliance

• Training for airport staff (see below)

Through the use of OTS’ integrated wildlife management services, airports have been able to minimise wildlife hazards around airports and remain compliant with federal aviation legislation. Analysis, reporting, and wildlife hazard management planning services enable airport staff to react quickly with appropriate management strategies when hazards arise.

In recent years OTS has designed and delivered many species-specific targeted management plans for key high-risk species (Galahs and Little Corellas are common examples). OTS also provides capture and relocation services for high-risk groups such as waterfowl and raptors.

Airport Staff Training

Among more general training courses, OTS provides customised training programs for airports to ensure their staff can undertake bird surveys and accurately identify birds, fulfilling the needs of their WHMPs and of federal aviation legislation regarding wildlife hazard management. This type of training is vital for airports that undertake their own routine bird monitoring.

Training sessions are customised to focus on the local- and regional-scale bird species composition at each airport. Courses are tailored to a varierty of different skill levels ranging between beginner bird identification training to specalist/advanced level training.

Risk Assessment of Wildlife and Vegetation

OTS provides quantitative risk assessment of wildlife occurring on airports. This is a crucial part of any wildlife hazard management process as it identifies high risk species which require management.

OTS has developed a quantitative vegetation risk assessment model for airports which is tailored to account for each airport’s unique wildlife species composition and risk profile. Vegetaion risk assessment is a vital process in the planning stages of landscaping or similar projects which will alter the natural environment near an airport, allowing early identification and replacement of plant species which could attract high-risk wildlife to the airport.