Do enroute controllers care about birds?

farmerbrake

farmerbrake

Line Up and Wait
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farmerbrake
So I was doing a flight today (ifr in vmc) and heard a guy on the radio give the controller location on a flock of geese.
Within the next 15 minutes I saw a flock off to my 3 o'clock. There were about 3500 msl (about 3000 agl).
I don't think they were the same ones the other guy had reported. I opted not to say anything as the controller didn't seem too thrilled for the information from the earlier pilot.

So what sayeth the group? I guess I feel it's acceptable if you are within the airport environment and they are in the pattern or criss crossing the runway, but enroute like that I'm not sure. . (And since I brought up in the airport obviously the little tweety birds don't count since they don't impact much)
 
Yeah they care. Whether it's tower or a radar facility, it's actually a mandatory advisory to issue other aircraft in the area. Position, species, altitude direction of flight, etc.
 
Velocity173 said:
Yeah they care. Whether it's tower or a radar facility, it's actually a mandatory advisory to issue other aircraft in the area. Position, species, altitude direction of flight, etc.
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But woe be to the idiot that mistakes Moffitt's Canada goose for a Dusky Canada goose. That's an enforcement action. :D
 
Nope, they are sitting in a dark room, far away from the birds you saw. :)
 
In my experience, controllers always seem to appreciate and pass on any reports of any wildlife. As they should - big flock of birds is just as hazardous in short final as windshear etc.

(and sometimes they even have a sense of humor. I went to Athens, GA a month ago for a game. Previous pilot reported a dog on the runway. This was passed to me. I asked if it was a Bulldog. The controller died laughing :) )
 
Ya know that from a safety perspective the birds should be squawking...
 
Clark1961 said:
Ya know that from a safety perspective the birds should be squawking...
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There was a bird doing some aerobatics over the runway the other day. Heard a guy call it in. Tower said his transponder must be off, I can't see him lol.
 
When I did a TRACON tour at the local airport a few years ago, the controller pointed out a flock of birds that were throwing a return on the scope. They are visible if large enough and it's definitely worth while to advise ATC of it. Although from the controllers POV he/she is unable to determine an exact altitude, which is why pilots need to help relay that info.
 
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Sounds good. Thanks for all the responses guys! Next time I see a flock I'll let the controllers know
 
farmerbrake said:
So I was doing a flight today (ifr in vmc) and heard a guy on the radio give the controller location on a flock of geese.
Within the next 15 minutes I saw a flock off to my 3 o'clock. There were about 3500 msl (about 3000 agl).
I don't think they were the same ones the other guy had reported. I opted not to say anything as the controller didn't seem too thrilled for the information from the earlier pilot.

So what sayeth the group? I guess I feel it's acceptable if you are within the airport environment and they are in the pattern or criss crossing the runway, but enroute like that I'm not sure. . (And since I brought up in the airport obviously the little tweety birds don't count since they don't impact much)
Click to expand...

Controllers, regardless of center, tower or tracon are required to do the following:

Issue advisory information on pilot-reported,
tower-observed, or radar-observed and pilot-verified
bird activity. Include position, species or size of birds,
if known, course of flight, and altitude. Do this for at
least 15 minutes after receipt of such information
from pilots or from adjacent facilities unless visual
observation or subsequent reports reveal the activity
is no longer a factor.

Unfortunately, they are not all created equal and may or may not do this 100% of the time. Maybe he didn't issue that report to any other aircraft because no one went near where the report was? Either way, if you see birds that you think may be a factor to safety and another pilot would like to know, tell ATC and they can disseminate as necessary. We've all at times had our heads down (checking wx, programming the GPS, trying to get the perfect lean, etc) maybe your report relayed to another pilot will help them miss a flock.
 
Sorry, I'm a new pilot, but reporting a flock of geese is a waste of time IMO. They aren't circling in one place like buzzards. And it's not as if there aren't always flocks of geese up there.
 
I reported an iguana near the numbers. I parked next to the lizard so that the tower guy could locate it through his binoculars. The plane behind me for takeoff was delayed by about 10 minutes while a ground crew made the capture/removal.
 
Turtles on the runway are fairly common in fl
 
Even if there isn't a tower, or controller, it's a good idea to announce a possible runway or airway hazard. I had a flock of buzzards sitting on a runway one day. I did an overfly, and they scattered a bit, but came back by the time I was back around in the pattern, behind a student pilot who might not have known the hazard had I not announced it.
 
Oh yes, they care. As stated earlier it is a requirement to give bird advisories when you have reports of birds and there is no limitation of altitude. If an enroute controller gets a report of geese at FL230 he IS REQUIRED to give a bird advisory.

tex
 
Bird lives matter. If the enroute controller seems ambivalent I'm sure they just need remedial training.
 
Was flying between Omaha and Minneapolis in a Cardinal RG in the soup at 7,000 feet. Center called up with "Traffic 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock, 2 miles, altitude unknown, slow moving, believed to be a big flock of geese". Never did see anything but the airspeed immediately changed for about 5 miles! Happened about 40 years ago and is one thing I will always remember about flying that year.

Also had a friend taking off at night in a 172, lifted off about two feet and tore the right main wheelpant off on a deer he did not see. Airplane stayed in the air but needed gear box repairs after landing. Several thousand $.

I appreciate animal sightings!
 
yes, if the birds are in the parking lot outside ATC crapping on their cars.
 
Saginaw TRSA approach control advised me of birds the other day when I was on flight following...they said something like, "We are getting a slow moving return, 1 mile ahead of you, unknown altitude, we think they are birds..." I appreciated the heads up, but I never saw them.
 
One time I reported buzzards on the runway when I was taxiing out. The controller asked and cleared me to back taxi to chase them off. Was glad to do so, but was curious what I'd do if they didn't move. :D
 
Salty said:
Sorry, I'm a new pilot, but reporting a flock of geese is a waste of time IMO. They aren't circling in one place like buzzards. And it's not as if there aren't always flocks of geese up there.
Click to expand...
You've got a lot to learn.
 
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