Environmental and ornithological examination of Solovki airfield has been completed

In the short run, Stroytransgaz will complete the large-scale project - reconstruction of an airfield on Solovetskie Islands. Everyone knows that the famous Solovetsky Monastery is located on the islands, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The islands are also a protected area in which moose, squirrels, hares, foxes and other animals that have come to the construction site more than once live.

Moreover, places of birds cluster during nesting, molting period, at winter quarters, and resting areas during migrations were created on Solovetskie Islands. In total, there are 196 bird species on the islands belonging to 16 orders. Eighteen bird species are included in the Red Book of the Arkhangelsk region, including the white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, whooper swan. Many of them live in the immediate vicinity of the airfield under reconstruction, and the area adjacent to the runway is used by gulls as a resting place during storms.

The rich fauna and huge abundance of birds pose a danger to aircrafts. Until about 10 years ago, the International Civil Aviation Organization annually recorded an average of 5400 bird collisions with aircraft in the world. It seems that a small bird in such a collision can only harm itself. However, the collision occurs at a very high speed, which actually turns the bird into a small projectile, the impact force of which during collision is 3200 kg per sq.cm, provided that the speed of the aircraft is 320 km/h. 

Therefore, JSC STG together with the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences carried out a large-scale two-year ornithological survey as part of the airport reconstruction. Based on its results, recommendations were updated and additional activities were developed that will minimize the adverse impact of the operating airfield on the environment and habitat conditions of birds and, above all, will eliminate the likelihood of accidents due to birds. This has become particularly true now, because the airport area was expanded after reconstruction, and in the near future the number and capacity of coming aircrafts will significantly increase.

JSC STG carried out examination at the airfield territory and on all major landscapes within a radius of 30 km from the landing place. Experts identified the reasons that contribute to the increase of birds cluster within the airfield area. Among them - formation of temporary waste accumulation open areas near the complex, storms and other weather events, waterlogging of the adjacent territory, lack of tending the grass and shrub vegetation near the runway, where birds often nest. Suitable areas for relocation of bird habitats near the airport were found, recommendations for the use of pyrotechnic deterrents and a bioacoustic system at the facility were developed.

The survey results were handed over to a special airport service, whose staff will monitor the number of birds living nearby, study the migration routes of birds, carry out work to scare them away using special means and measures, thereby ensuring absolute safety for aircraft and their passengers.