LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Team XL recently welcomed birdwatchers from across the region to observe the spring migration during its annual birdwatching event.
The 47th Flying Training Wing (FTW), known for its pilot training mission, temporarily shifted focus from jet engines to bird calls as attendees explored the base’s unique natural habitats.
While the event offered a rare opportunity to explore Laughlin’s ecological diversity, it also highlighted an important operational concern: bird activity poses a real risk to flight safety.
“Bird activity is a constant concern to aviation safety,” said Maj. John Sorce, 47th Flying Training Wing acting chief of safety. “The migratory season at Laughlin sees a significant increase in bird activity. Over the years, we have come up with a set of best practices to limit the risks of bird strikes. The Safety office coordinates bird mitigation plans with various base agencies, including Contracting, Civil Engineering, Airfield Operations, Air Traffic Control, Flying Training Squadrons, Security Forces and outside agencies, such as the USDA, Texas Parks and Wildlife, city officials and local landowners. We also use data from the Smithsonian, NOAA, NASA, multiple universities and research organizations to model and forecast bird activity.”
Laughlin offers a critical environment for a wide variety of migratory bird species thanks to its position along the Rio Grande Flyway. Its diverse landscapes and relative remoteness make it a prime spot for seasonal sightings.
Participants of the event were guided by base environmental staff and local wildlife experts to designated observation points.
Laughlin’s geography supports multiple microhabitats in close proximity, making it a standout location for avian diversity.
“Laughlin is a special place to bird because we have several microhabitats all lumped into a small geographic area,” said Brandon Nooner, 47th Flying Training Wing safety office wildlife biologist. “Birds are attracted to the golf course area for its mature trees and irrigated landscapes along with the ponds, the more natural areas are full of mature native tree and brush species that are representative of classic South Texas Thorn-scrub habitats, the sewage ponds are full of shorebirds, ducks, and terns feeding on small fish, bugs and organic materials, and the airfield itself is essentiallya rare plot of short grass prairie in an otherwise wooded landscape. It hosts a variety of birds during the winter and summer that can’t be found in the surrounding environment.”
Attendees learned about ongoing ecological initiatives that contribute to Laughlin’s standing as one of the most species-diverse locations in Val Verde County.
“In the past year we hosted a Sabines Gull (first county record) at the sewage ponds, a Bobolink (first county record) on the airfield, and an abundance of longspurs, Sprague’s Pipits and Mountain Bluebirds,” explained Nooner. “The giant oak trees at the golf course produced a beautiful male American Redstart and Tropical Parula last year as well along with 250 or so other species. Being so far south and on the international border means there is no telling what rare bird might show up on our base.”
Nooner also highlighted the broader significance of birdwatching beyond recreational interest.
“Birding as a hobby allows participants to get a real appreciation for the local biodiversity, highlighting the biological connection between the base and the surrounding areas along with connections to farther flung places that birds use to breed and ride out the northern hemisphere winter,” said Nooner. “We stand at the migratory midpoint for many species that spend the winter in tropical rainforests across central and South America and their breeding grounds here and further north. Some species seen here travel as far as the arctic tundra of Canada and Alaska to breed. Given the mild seasonal shifts in weather here, without much change in temperature or rainfall from month to month, the birds serve as a surrogate to mark the changing of the seasons across the continent much like the way the arrival of migrating Monarch Butterflies in October mark the start of fall.”
As spring migration ramps up, Laughlin remains focused on the safety implications that come with increased bird activity. Managing the balance between environmental stewardship and aviation safety requires detailed planning and coordination.
“Laughlin’s Bird/Wildlife Aviation Strike Hazard (BASH) program includes habitat management around the airfield, in order to make the area less attractive to birds and other wildlife,” said Sorce. “Aircrews use the Aviation Hazard Advisory System to plan around forecast bird activity, based on historical models and real-time reporting. This allows crews to tailor their flight routing to avoid the riskiest areas that day. Our control tower personnel coordinate with aircrews to set Bird Watch Conditions based on observed flocks of birds and report the locations of bird activity.”
The safety team’s efforts don’t stop at forecasting. Laughlin’s BASH program also includes active deterrence methods to reduce the likelihood of bird strikes.
“Laughlin’s USDA representative and BASH response team conduct regular patrols to push birds away from the airfield and respond to hazardous groups of birds, using scare tactics or, in particularly hazardous situations, lethal force,” said Sorce. “Bird strikes do still happen, and when they do, the Safety office investigates the incident. We coordinate with the Smithsonian to identify the bird species hit and add it to our database so our forecast models can become more accurate. These combination of efforts on base, and habitat management off-base have helped to bring damaging bird strikes to a multi-decade low. Bird strike prevention is definitely a team sport, and it takes expertise from multiple areas to make an effective program.”
These combined efforts—environmental data analysis, flight routing coordination, habitat management, and active response—are essential to protecting both birds and aviators during peak migration.
As migration season continues, Laughlin remains a nest for the next generation of military aviators and a seasonal sanctuary for winged travelers from across the hemisphere.
For Team XL members looking to unwind off-duty, the Laughlin Nature Trail is open year-round and offers a relaxing, family-friendly way to experience the local environment. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just looking for a peaceful hike, the trail is home to dozens of migratory and native species. To keep the fun going, base personnel are encouraged to grab a pair of binoculars and explore the trail at their own pace.