The Birds are on the move...

Jay Honeck wrote:
We did a beautiful leaf-peeping flight up the Mississippi River to
LaCrosse, WI (KLSE) today. Our recent spate of high winds and heavy
rains had torn many of the leaves down before they could reach their
prime, but tbe golds and reds along the bluffs that line the shoreline
were still breath-taking.

Tooling along at 3500 feet just south of Prairie du Chein (KPDC) we
had our first bird encounter -- a huge flock of Canadian Geese flying
down-river ABOVE us. The sight of those beautful birds migrating en
masse to warmer climes was fantastic, but certainly gave one pause, as
we considered what each one weighed.

Our second encounter was just a few minutes later, when a V-formation
passed beneath us. and we again pondered what might happen should we
run into one of those flocks. We also noted that the geese looked
black from below, but white from above...

The third encounter occurred as we were coming into land on Rwy 36 in
LaCrosse. Three miles out and a quick blur out of the corner of my
eye. I turned my head long enough to see another V-formation whiz by
1/4 mile off our right wing.

After a nice day in LaCrosse we were again on the look-out for the
birds as we headed down-river toward home. With the strong northerly
winds aloft, we were doing over 175 knots ground speed. At that
speed we (and they) wouldn't have much time to "see and avoid", so we
decided to ignore the pretty colors and climb high, hopefully above
their preferred altitudes.

I have heard that birds, when confronted with airplanes, will
invariable *dive* to avoid us. Is this one of those "old pilot's
tales", or is it true?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"


Years ago one fall evening, I was flying SW of Kansas City MO and
landing at Johnson Co Airport. Entering the pattern I was passing
through a flock of ducks. there must have be a couple of thousand! I
guess they were looking for a landing spot before their continued
migration. I had the same thoughts. I have seen buzzards and hawks take
a dive away from me before.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

On Oct 24, 7:16 pm, Jay Honeck wrote:

Jay,
I know how beautiful the river flight can be at this time of year.
However, over the last several years the number of eagles flying along
the river has increased dramatically. I have had several near misses
in the last few months. I now avoid flight near the river at low
altitudes if at all possible. Just an FYI.

Cary

We did a beautiful leaf-peeping flight up the Mississippi River to
LaCrosse, WI (KLSE) today. Our recent spate of high winds and heavy
rains had torn many of the leaves down before they could reach their
prime, but tbe golds and reds along the bluffs that line the shoreline
were still breath-taking.

Jay Honeck writes:
I have heard that birds, when confronted with airplanes, will
invariable *dive* to avoid us. Is this one of those "old pilot's
tales", or is it true?

I don't know if it is always true -- but at KPAO (my home airport) you
do final for Runway 31 over the town dump and then over a duck pond.
Loads of birds. Every time I have come anywhere near the birds they
have dived. (If I see them early enough I go around before getting
close.) It is quite possible that this is natural selection at work
-- any birds in this area which do _not_ dive don't last very long...

Chris