An increase in reported bird strikes at St. John’s International correlates with an increase in migratory birds in the vicinity of the airport in recent weeks.
The St. John’s International Airport Authority says it noticed an increase in migratory birds in the first week of September—a pattern typically seen each fall.
It says the birds are generally very small and pose minimal risk to flying.
The authority has increased wildlife patrols and also uses a number of methods including wailers and sound cannons to help reduce the potential for bird strikes.
The authority says despite an increase in September, bird strike statistics at the airport were down nearly 50 per cent in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.