An Evaluation of Long Grass as a Bird Deterrent on British Airfields

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Abstract
Regular observations on 13 airfields showed that birds were fewer and occurred less frequently on long grass (15-20 cm) than on short grass (5-10 cm) areas. This happened with the more hazardous species on British airfields, i.e., lapwing [Vanellus vanellus], woodpigeon [Columba palumbus], rook [Corvus frugilegus] and starling [Sturnus sturnus] and especially gulls [Larus ridibundus, L. canus and L. argentatus]. Other species were also scarcer in long grass, except for kestrels [Falco tinnunculus] and pipits on 3 airfields and nesting terns on 1 coastal airfield. On 2 airfields where a good stand of long grass could not be grown on the experimental areas the bird numbers were the same as on short grass. The growing of long grass does not eliminate birds but generally reduces numbers and may be an effective component of bird control measures on airfields.

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