In the Augusta wetlands, they are using airboats for a very different purpose than we are in Florida. While we are using our airboats for Orlando airboat tours of the headwaters of the Everglades, the folks in Georgia are using them to battle blackbirds.
This unusual tactic is used to repel the redwing blackbirds that have migrated in such large quantities that they have created aviation safety concerns to the Augusta Regional Airport. It seems as though they’re numbers have peaked in 2005 when 15 million birds were counted in a single night. Though the number is dwindling, there are still too many in the area.
Meanwhile, the Augusta Utilities Department has taken to using airboats to combat these unwanted blackbirds. The purpose of the airboats is to knock down the standing vegetation in bodies of water that birds prefer to roost. This method has worked in 2008, when it was first introduced as a way to rid the area of birds along with other methods like using whistles and noisemakers to scare the birds away. Meanwhile, Wild Florida is using their airboats for Orlando airboat tours while showing guests the exotic wildlife in the Everglades.
It takes about 2 weeks for them to flatten out the vegetation, and it is anticipated to grow back by the time Spring arrives. The vegetation was originally put there to purify the water because of the nearby water treatment plant. Now, it seems to draw a large amount of redwing blackbirds.
Wild Florida allows guests to view undiscovered, undeveloped Florida in all of its natural serenity. Located just a short drive away from Orlando, Wild Florida doesn’t have an overpopulation of blackbirds, so you won’t see any areas of destruction. We use our airboats to take our guests on Orlando airboat tours in the headwaters of the Everglades. Take an Orlando airboat ride with Wild Florida today by booking online on our website.
