Exclusive: RAF bases record hundreds of bird strikes or near-misses

More than 250 bird strikes or near-misses have been recorded at Royal Air Force (RAF) bases in the Southern and Eastern Regions since 2017, including a high of 73 incidents reported by RAF aircrews in 2020, with a further 46 up to October 28 this year.

In September this year the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) issued two separate contracts, valued in total in excess of £7m, for the provision of wildlife control services in the Southern and Eastern Airfield Regions.

The contracts state an intention to reduce the presence of hazardous birds and wildlife in and around the vicinity of the aerodromes at RAF Benson, RAF Brize Norton, RAF Northolt and RAF Odiham’ in the Southern Region, and similarly for RAF Coningsby, RAFC Cranwell, RAF Marham, RAF Scampton, RAF Waddington, RAF Wittering, RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Leeming and RAF Topcliffe in the Eastern region.

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