Originalartikel zu finden unter: http://www.courier.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=142759&command=displayContent&sourceNode=142742&contentPK=13815036&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=filtersearchThe Courier wrote:SWANS' LANDING CAUSES PROBLEMS AT THE AIRPORT
15:00 - 12 January 2006
An Unscheduled landing at Gatwick airport caused a commotion on new year's day.
A pair of swans landed on the Romeo taxiway at around 4.10pm, mistakenly believing it was a pond. Fortunately the protected birds were soon spotted by the control tower, who arranged for them to be ushered to a safe and quiet area of the airfield on stand 153. Phil Milham, Gatwick operations duty manager, contacted the Outwood Swan Lifeline Sanctuary in Outwood Lane, which sent sanctuary volunteer John Potts to rescue the swans.
The sanctuary was founded more than 30 years ago by Marj Unwin, with the aim of rescuing, treating and ensuring the welfare of both swans and wild birds. Mr Milham said: "Swan landings are a rare occurrence here at Gatwick and we were very grateful to Outwood Swan Lifeline Sanctuary for their quick response to the plight of these birds. "My team were with the birds throughout their short stopover at Gatwick and assisted the rescue efforts by helping to put the swans into their specially designed, protective bags for onward transportation to the sanctuary."
The airfield operations team will be making a contribution to the charity, which is funded entirely through donations, membership and sponsorship, in recognition of its efforts. Mr Potts said: "We believe the pair of swans mistakenly took the wet taxiway for water. "It would have been very difficult and distressing for them to try and attempt a take-off from Gatwick.
"We were very pleased to help the airport out and importantly rescue the swans. They did not sustain any injuries as a result of their landing and have now been safely relocated to the sanctuary. I think the swans took off from the sanctuary and were looking for a new pond - sadly they found Gatwick instead. We will be taking them down to a pond on a private estate in East Sussex."
He said that if one of the swans had flown into a plane engine it could have been disastrous.
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For radar identification, throw your jumpseat rider out the window.
