Factors associated with returns of snowy owls to airports following translocation. Issue 5 (11th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCabe, Rebecca A.; Wiebe, Karen L.; Therrien, Jean‐François; Gauthier, Gilles; Smith, Norman E.; Weidensaul, C. Scott; Brinker, David F.; Allard, Maxime; Skelling, Marilou G.; Molina, Pierre; Fuller, Mark R.; Bates, Kirk K.; Elliott, Kyle H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of wildlife management. Volume 86:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-04-11
• Subjects: airport risk -- birdstrike -- Bubo scandiacus -- human‐wildlife conflict -- movement -- raptors -- snowy owl -- telemetry -- translocation; Wildlife management -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; 333.954
• DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22230
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-541X

Abstract

Abstract: Human‐dominated environments often include ecological traps for wildlife, such as airports that may be perceived as suitable habitat by grassland birds but reduce fitness because of collisions with aircraft. Birds of prey are often attracted to airports where collisions with aircraft (i.e., bird strikes) are usually fatal for the birds and are a significant threat to flight safety. The snowy owl ( Bubo scandiacus ) is known for its nomadism, exhibiting unpredictable and highly variable movements during the nonbreeding season, including being a common visitor to airports, which often have high small‐mammal populations and mimic flat, open habitats used naturally by owls. Since 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration reported an average of 22 snowy owl deaths annually due to aircraft collisions throughout 55 North American airports. To aid in active management of owls at airports, we assessed relocation data of 42 telemetry‐tracked snowy owls from 2000–2020 in the United States and Canada. Owls that returned to the airport after relocation (33%) frequently crisscrossed and perched near runways where they were at risk of strikes. Adult females and immature males were more likely to return than the other sex and age classes, and returns were less likely to occur as the distance between the release site and the airport increased. Owls relocated in open habitats with a greater proportion of wetland and cropland (including grasslands and pasture) land cover classes were also less likely to return. We conclude that inclusion of multiple factors to limit return rates of relocated snowy owls from airport facilities can unspring the ecological trap presented by airports to these owls. Abstract : Snowy owls are regular winter residents at many airports across North America. Translocations of owls proved effective at minimizing return rates. Managers can reduce the abundance of owls on the airfield and mitigate aircraft collisions by relocating owls in habitats presumed to have good prey conditions, such as sites with greater proportions of wetland and cropland land cover, and at distances greater than 100 km from the airport.