January 19, 2009

The number of airplane bird strikes has quadrupled from 1,759 in 1990 to 7,666 in 2007. Why? Reasons range from airlines replacing older aircraft with quieter, newer engines that birds are less likely to notice.

You also might have guessed climate change and environmental damage has changed the course of bird migration. Also on the list is growing air traffic from 310 million airline passengers in 1980 to 749 million in 2007. But some airports are taking a unique approach to getting rid of birds. Remember a few years ago when hawks were released in Bryant Park to get rid of their growing rat problem? The program was short lived and ceased after a hawk went after a chihuahua in some shrubs, mistaking it for a rat.

JFK releases its own hawks and falcons, which fly solo and thus less dangerous to planes, to scare away flocks of geese and seagulls. Some airports get rid of birds’ nests and eggs all together. Unfortunately, LaGuardia is located close to the thriving nesting grounds at Rikers Island where birds thrive along its trees, grassland, water, and insect life.

Rikers Island is also home to the largest and most notorious correctional facility in New York and houses around 12,000 to 15,000 inmates at any given time. It’s also considered the world’s largest penal colony. The island lies between the East River and Queens and is adjacent to LaGuardia’s runways. You can get to Riker’s Island by taking the Q101 or Q100 bus, although most would consider it a dump and not worth visiting unless you have a loved one behind bars. However, the Queens side of the Riker’s Island bridge features a jewelry store, private shuttle service to the jail, a check-cashing service, food vendor, and other small shops that cater to the some 1,500 a day visitors to the jail.

Others are taking the opportunity to skirt around Riker’s Island as a tourist opportunity. Manhattan Kayak takes adventurous kayakers through Hell Gate and along the East River underneath the Triborough toward the Long Island Sound. The choppy currents lends its name to the gate with eddies and wave trains. After a stop at South Brother Island, kayakers skirt around Riker’s Island and pass by LaGuardia airport. You should be able to see the razo sharp barb wire and guard activity around the island as they watch to make sure the kayakers don’t impede too close to the shore’s edge.

The full day tour runs $250 per person and more details and registration can be found at Manhattan Kayak.