A new bird detection radar system has been deployed at King Shaka International Airport in an effort to reduce bird strike risks for aircraft while helping protect one of Africa’s largest migratory swallow populations.
The project brings together HENSOLDT South Africa and Robin Radar Systems, which have installed a full 3D avian radar system near the airport to monitor bird activity in real time.
The deployment is focused particularly on the Barn Swallow, a migratory species that gathers in huge numbers at the nearby Mount Moreland roost site during the southern hemisphere summer.
Each year, an estimated three million Barn Swallows arrive in KwaZulu-Natal between September and March, forming one of the world’s largest swallow roosts only a few kilometres from the airport.
While the spectacle attracts birdwatchers and researchers, it also presents a significant challenge for air traffic operations and aircraft safety.
Real-time monitoring for air traffic control
The new MAX radar system enables airport and wildlife management teams to monitor bird movements continuously across a 15km radius, including altitude, speed and direction of travel.
For air traffic controllers and airport operations teams, the system provides real-time awareness of bird activity around flight paths and approach corridors, particularly during peak migration periods and low-light conditions.
Unlike traditional wildlife observation methods, the radar operates continuously day and night and can track thousands of birds simultaneously.
The system rotates at 60 revolutions per minute and provides full 360-degree surveillance coverage, helping controllers and bird hazard management teams identify potential strike risks before aircraft departures and arrivals.
Industry experts say bird strikes remain a major operational concern for airports globally, particularly near wetlands, coastlines and migratory routes.
Only second airport in Africa with system
King Shaka International becomes one of only two airports in Africa to deploy the advanced avian radar technology.
The installation also marks the first collaboration of its kind on the continent between HENSOLDT and Robin Radar Systems.
Christiaan Pelser said the project reflects growing pressure on airports to balance operational safety with environmental protection.
“This project builds on our expertise, combining operational safety with environmental responsibility in a way that reflects the evolving priorities of the aviation sector,” he said.
The radar data will also support wildlife research being carried out by University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Researchers will use the information to analyse bird movement patterns, migration behaviour and habitat usage around the airport.
Data could reshape airport wildlife management
The system’s analytical tools allow researchers and airport authorities to correlate live radar tracking with field observations, helping refine both ecological studies and aviation risk assessments.
Scientists say the technology could improve understanding of how migratory birds interact with airport environments and help develop more sustainable wildlife management policies.
Alex Coccia said radar technology offers major advantages over traditional bird monitoring techniques.
“Radar can track large flocks, revealing their size, flight paths, altitudes, speeds, and more,” he said.
“Its affinity for mass movements makes it an ideal tool for the study of the Barn Swallow and other bird species in the vicinity of the airport in Durban.”
The project also reflects wider changes in the aviation industry, where airports and air navigation providers are increasingly investing in advanced wildlife monitoring systems to reduce disruption, improve flight safety and meet environmental targets.
Balancing aviation growth with biodiversity
The Mount Moreland swallow roost is regarded as ecologically important because of the birds’ role in controlling insect populations and supporting wetland biodiversity.
Airport officials said the project demonstrates that aviation safety measures and environmental conservation do not have to conflict.
By combining advanced surveillance technology with scientific research, the airport hopes to create a long-term model for managing wildlife hazards without harming sensitive ecosystems.
The initiative is expected to become a case study for other airports located near major migratory bird corridors as global air traffic volumes continue to increase.
