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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Andrew Barnes, falconer for Falcon Environmental Services, prepares Nantucket, a 9-year-old Peregrine falcon, for his 30-minute patrol over McGuire’s flightline March 23. Although Nantucket is hooded, as soon as he feels the wind he’s ready to fly. Falcon Environmental Services has 10 falcons at McGuire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Several pieces of safety equipment are used in handling the falcon to protect him and the handler/falconer. The falconer uses thick leather gloves to protect his hands from the falcon’s sharp talons and beak. The falcon wears a hood that keeps him in the dark and in turn helps keep him calm. The falcon also has a short leash, which is attached to his leg until his hood is removed and he’s ready to fly. The last piece of equipment is very important because it’s a transmitter with a 25-mile radius. Falcons can only return to the falconer if they see him, so the falconer uses a receiver to follow and track a falcon that may be chasing another bird out of the falconer’s line of sight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Falconer Andrew Barnes, of Falcon Environmental Services, releases Nantucket for his patrol flight here March 23. Falcon Environmental Services’ mission is to keep the McGuire airfield safe with falcon patrols every 90 minutes -- from sunrise to sunset. They have 10 falcons; eight Peregrine falcons and two Gyrfalcons, which fly once a day for 30 minutes each. The Peregrine falcon is smaller but faster than the Gyrfalcons and work as a great deterrent against medium size birds. The Peregrine falcons are ineffective against larger birds like geese, which is where the larger Gyrfalcons are used as a deterrent. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Falconer Andrew Barnes takes Nantucket through a work out by twirling a rope with a bird-like target on the flightline March 23. The training flight takes place during Nantucket’s normal patrol slot when there are no birds in the vicinity. The falcons are a natural deterrent to all birds local to McGuire except sparrows, which are too small and cause less than one percent damage to McGuire equipment, and turkey vultures, which are too large of a bird for the falcons to take on. Unlike pyrotechnics and noises, which birds become accustomed to, the falcon is a real and natural predator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Falconer Andrew Barnes receives Nantucket, exhausted and ready to eat, after a 30-minute flight March 23. Peregrine falcons average 25-34 mph in travel flight and can reach speeds up to 69 mph in direct pursuit of prey. During its spectacular hunting stoop, or dive, from heights of more than .61 miles, the Peregrine may reach speeds of more than 234 mph as it drops toward its prey. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

After Nantucket’s patrol March 23, Andrew Barnes reattaches the short leash and feeds him two farm-raised quails. The falcons only fly and eat once a day. Falcon Environmental Services uses the falcons to keep the airways clear above McGuire, but the group also handles other wildlife, such as deer and groundhogs, that stray into the aircraft taxiways and ramp. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

The falcons fly during the same time slot each day, which keeps them on the same rest-work cycle. After their flight and feeding, the falcons are taken to a very large enclosure that has a perch and water bowl for each of the 10 birds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Wayne Russell)

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Falconers, natural predators keep airways safe

Published April 1, 2009