Hareport hazard: Identifying hare activity patterns and increased mammal–aircraft strike risk at an International Airport. Issue 1 (10th August 2022) - Ball, Samantha
Abstract: Reported strike events between wildlife and aircraft are hazardous to aircraft and airfield operations and are increasing globally. To develop effective mitigation strategies, the relative hazard a species poses to aircraft, as well as information relating to its life history, are key to the development of effective mitigation strategies in Wildlife Hazard Management Plans. However, given the complex nature of airfield environments with access restrictions and the presence of sensitive equipment, the collection of high‐quality ecological data can be difficult. Here we use motion‐activated camera traps to collect activity data on a population of Irish hares ( Lepus timidus hibernicus ) inhabiting the airfield at Dublin International Airport, to investigate the link between hare activity and aircraft activity in relation to hare strikes. Camera traps revealed that the hare population at the airfield largely displayed a bimodal crepuscular activity pattern, with activity peaking at sunrise and at sunset. Recorded hare strike times at the airfield were closely associated with hare activity times with a high temporal overlap between these datasets. In comparison, hare activity and aircraft movement activity had a moderate overlap across all seasons, with strikes peaking at times with low aircraft movements. We demonstrate the importance of understanding the circadian and seasonal activity patterns of hazardous species at airfields for targeted strike mitigation. Abstract : The collection of high‐quality ecological data in airfield environments is difficult. Here, we use camera traps to collect activity data on a population of Irish hares inhabiting the airfield at Dublin International Airport to investigate the link between hare activity and aircraft activity in relation to hare‐aircraft collisions (strikes). Using predator‐prey data analytical methods, we investigate the circadian (24‐hours) and seasonal activity patterns of the hares in relation to aircraft movements to identify periods of increased risk and found that strike patterns were more closely associated with hare activity at the airfield rather than aircraft activity. This highlights the importance of understanding the ecology and life histories of the fauna using an airfield environment to inform the development of suitable strike mitigation strategies.