Wildlife Management Patrol Changes Paws

Dover AFB Airlifter, October 2002

Flyaway Farm and Kennels key to program success

Susan E. Walls, 436th AW Public Affairs

The biggest hazard to flight safety on Dover Air Force Base during the fall and winter months is the presence of migratory waterfowl – snow geese, Canada geese, and ducks. Since Oct. 1, Flyaway Farm and Kennels, based in Southport, N. C., has been helping to bring the threat under control. Administered at Dover AFB by FFK handler Karen Voltura and Trixie, the seven-year-old "tailless wonder" border collie, the program is helping the presence of the waterfowl near the airfield and surrounding farmland steadily decline.

Fall migration began nearly a month ago and according to Voltura, the majority of wildlife control work during the fall months is done off the base proper, on private land.

"Geese are attracted to the harvested fields that contain spilled grain, as well as to the crops such as wheat and barley," said Voltura.Dover AFB is situated between three large wildlife refuges and along the eastern United States migratory flyway. The base is located less than two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which provides an ideal habitat for migratory birds.

"Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve received permission from many private landowners and land leasees to patrol their land and harass the waterfowl – their cooperation is critical to the success of our wildlife control program," said Rebecca Ryan, Flyaway Farms and Kennels co-executive director.

Since 1998, collisions between birds and aircraft have caused nearly $2 million in damage to Dover’s C-5 fleet.

Voltura, a wildlife biologist, directs commands to Trixie and five other dogs (Cole, Perk, Twister, Jill, and Neo), through a shepherd’s whistle.

"We patrol fields on the south, east, and north side of Dover," said Voltura. "This is a win-win situation for Dover and the landowners. Diligent patrol and harassment efforts will help us keep the base virtually free of the hazard to aircraft and the landowners will undoubtedly experience a decrease of damage to their crops."

When hunting season moves into full swing in Delaware, consideration to hunters’ livelihood is also taken into account when patrolling the base perimeter. Both Voltura and her dogs will wear orange vests during potential hunting hours.

Border collie "Fly," will be arriving for permanent duty in November.

"Fly has worked at the Daytona International Airport and at a golf course in Michigan – before ‘taking the job at Dover,’" said Ryan.

Each of the border collies has their own specialty areas, ranging from proficiency in the water (Twister - harassing butterflies to smallhill cranes) and boats (Perk - stalking birds from the boat) to being a versatile bomb detection dog (Cole). Part of the dogs’ training is being allowed to correct themselves while learning in their specific area.

"Our mission with the animals is to ‘herd not hurt," added John Ryan, Flyaway Farms and Kennels’ vice-president. "In the eyes of the birds, the border collies are predators, when in actuality they’re false threats."According to John Ryan, education and awareness are key components in assuring the wildlife management program is a successful one.

"We urge the public to contact us if they notice a flock of birds somewhere near the airfield," said John Ryan. "It’s all about prevention and we can use as many extra eyes as possible for patrolling the area."

Harassment primarily takes place in the early morning (6:30 to 9 a.m.) and late afternoon (5 to 7:30 p.m.), with patrols conducted throughout the day to monitor the airfield and neighboring farmlands.

As of late October, the border collies were harassing an average of 3,000 snow geese and 500 Canada geese each morning from patrolled fields.

"I expect these numbers to increase as more fields are harvested in the area and more geese migrate into the Delaware Bay region," said Voltura.

"Karen, Rebecca, John, and the border collies have done an impressive job with controlling the wildlife habitat on the airfield and the nearby farms," said Lt. Col. Jim Hamilton, Chief, 436th Airlift Wing Safety. We’re glad to have them on board, and I’m thankful for the cooperation of our neighbors as well for working with us to keep our airfield free of wildlife hazards."

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