Churchill’s Weir Project: A Case Study in Effective Wildlife Management
1. Project Overview
In 2017, the town of Churchill, Manitoba, faced severe challenges when heavy winter snowfall led to significant spring flooding. As water levels began to recede, Churchill Mayor Mike Spence emphasized the urgent threat posed to the town’s infrastructure and wildlife. External News Link: CBC
The flooding left many parts of Churchill in need of extensive repairs or complete reconstruction. Among the most critical efforts was the Churchill Weir reconstruction project, aimed at restoring this essential infrastructure while addressing environmental concerns.
This is where our expertise made a difference. The reconstruction project demanded a unique approach to ensure progress while preserving the local ecosystem—especially during the bustling spring migration season when bird activity peaks. To address these challenges, our team partnered with Pacific Northwest Raptors in order to deliver wildlife management services with a new technological approach. The project occurred during the spring of 2023 and 2024.
The Raptors is a company renowned for its comprehensive wildlife management solutions. Their services range from consulting and training to navigating complex permitting processes and wildlife legislation, as well as implementing robust, integrated wildlife management programs. (Learn more about The Raptors here: https://the-raptors.com/wildlife-management)
Image description: Beluga Whales. Churchill, Manitoba / Image Credits: AERIUM Analytics
To dive deeper into the project, we spoke with Brian Hamilton, our Operations Coordinator and the project lead. Brian shared insightful details about the challenges, collaboration, and dedication that made this initiative a success, highlighting how our team adapted to the complex conditions of Churchill.
2. The Planning: A Synergistic Approach Rooted in Teamwork and Bird Behavior Analysis
The Churchill Weir reconstruction project presented a unique challenge: managing local wildlife in a way that allowed repair work to proceed without harming the animals.
“The weir spans over 2 km across the Churchill River, and sections of it (including the proposed site of repair) have been the traditional nesting site for several species of gulls and terns, specifically Herring and Ring-billed gulls as well as Common and Arctic terns. Additionally, it is a valuable feeding and loafing location for a wide variety of other species. Because of Churchill’s northern location, the summer season is short, and the window when construction is possible – not impacted by snow cover and permafrost – directly overlaps the bird breeding season. Our team needed to encourage the local birds to prioritize alternative adjacent habitats for breeding without significantly impact the populations.”
– Sean Baynton, Wildlife Program Coordinator at Pacific Northwest Raptors
Image description: Sam LaForce Flying RoBird™ / Image Credits: The Pacific Northwest Raptors
To address this, the Pacific Northwest Raptors brought their 35 years of experience to the project, with a successful history expertly combining traditional wildlife management techniques with falconry. Their team provides invaluable consulting, training, and customized wildlife management programs. This collaboration allowed for a holistic approach, merging RoBird™’s advanced technology with the Raptors’ biological expertise, creating an unparalleled strategy to manage bird activity on-site effectively. AERIUM drew upon its extensive expertise, built over 40 years within its group of companies, in wildlife management and consulting in partnership with the
The team deployed a highly skilled group of drone pilots and introduced RoBird™, a robotic falcon designed to mimic the behavior of real falcons. This innovative tool effectively deterred birds like gulls and terns from nesting in the construction area.
A Closer Look at Bird Behavior in Churchill
Image description: Seagle Churchill, Manitoba / Image Credits: AERIUM Analytics
How Did the Partnership with Pacific Northwest Raptors Enhance the Project’s Success?
“Bringing Pacific Northwest Raptors on board was a game-changer. While our expertise lies in technology and the operation of RoBird™, their team comprises trained biologists deeply passionate about birds. Their knowledge is immersive—they spend weekends birdwatching, manage a conservatory, and use real falcons for falconry across various projects.
Their understanding of bird behavior—how birds think, move, and respond—perfectly complemented our technical skills with RoBird™. This collaboration not only enhanced the effectiveness of our robotic falcon but also significantly contributed to the overall success of the project.”
— Brian Hamilton, Field Operations Coordinator at AERIUM Analytics.
Image description: RoBird chasing birds. Churchill, Manitoba / Image Credits: AERIUM Analytics
3. The operation: Strategy, Challenges, and Achievements
3.1 A Collaborative Operation
Image description: Worker at the Weir Churchill, Manitoba / Image Credits: AERIUM Analytics
The Churchill Weir reconstruction project was a complex undertaking that required meticulous planning and execution. Operations spanned several months, with a dedicated team working on-site. Combining both years of the project, the team conducted more than 400 drone flights to monitor and manage bird activity, ensuring minimal disruption to local wildlife.
AERIUM’s part of the team consisted of three members. Brian participated in the first week of each crew’s trips for both years, with two one-week trips each year.
3.2 Project Flight Data
Total Flights and Flight Time:
- Number of Flights: 418
- Total Flight Hours: 128 hours
- Total Flight Minutes: 37 minutes
This includes:
- 2023: 133 flights, 37 hours and 26 minutes
- 2024: 285 flights, 91 hours and 11 minutes
It’s worth noting that for the 2024 flights, we were not on-site. The project team rented/leased our drone unit to conduct the flights independently by The Raptors team.
Each operation required precise coordination between drone pilots, biologists, and project managers, with the safety of both the team and the environment as a top priority. Daily safety briefings, weather assessments, and compliance checks were conducted to maintain the highest operational standards.
3.3 Achievements: Mitigating Bird Activity and Engaging the Community
The project successfully reduced bird activity within the construction zone, a key milestone that highlighted the effectiveness of the methods employed.
Key factors contributing to this success included:
- The extensive knowledge and experience of Pacific Northwest Raptors, which helped the team understand bird behavior and nesting patterns.
- Active community engagement. Team members worked closely with locals, conservation officers, and airport managers, building trust and fostering a shared commitment to the project’s goals.
“The reduction in birds was remarkable. Bird activity in the target area was almost nonexistent. Meanwhile, just 300 meters away, a dry spot in the river would see thousands of birds gathering at times” shared Brian Hamilton, Field Operations Coordinator at AERIUM Analytics.
3.4 Technological Innovations and Compliance
Technology played a pivotal role in the project’s success. Alongside RoBird™’s Wildlife management, AERIUM’s team also performed flights with the DJI M30T, equipped with a dual battery system optimized for extreme weather, which was instrumental in detecting and managing bird activity.
Safety and compliance were equally critical. Advanced drone licenses, daily safety checks, and adherence to strict regulations ensured operations were both effective and environmentally friendly. These measures underscored AERIUM’s commitment to innovation and responsible wildlife management.
3.5 Overcoming Challenges: Adapting to Churchill’s Harsh Environment
Despite RoBird™’s advanced capabilities, the team faced significant challenges posed by Churchill’s extreme and unpredictable weather. High winds and snow made drone operations particularly difficult, while the environment constantly tested the team’s adaptability.
To address these challenges, the team employed advanced drones equipped with thermal and RGB cameras, which provided vital support in maintaining low bird activity during adverse conditions.
Brian Hamilton reflected on the impact of these conditions:
“RoBird™ faced challenges with the unexpectedly strong winds, which made stable flight difficult. The weather was unpredictable—when I arrived in mid-April, the ground was frozen, and snow covered the area. By late May or early June, temperatures skyrocketed to nearly 30°C for an entire week. These rapid and extreme changes required us to constantly adapt our approach to ensure the project’s success.”
This resilience and adaptability were key to overcoming obstacles, demonstrating the team’s commitment to completing the project while maintaining the highest operational standards.
4. Results & Lessons Learned
The Churchill Weir reconstruction project underscored the power of collaboration, adaptability to challenging conditions, and the importance of community engagement.
The project team gained valuable insights into local wildlife, including polar bears, and navigated complex compliance requirements.
The Churchill Weir reconstruction project demonstrated how technology and expertise could protect wildlife during essential infrastructure work.
By integrating innovative solutions and fostering community support, RoBird™ and Pacific Northwest Raptors set a new standard for responsible environmental practices and wildlife management. Future projects can build on these lessons to balance infrastructure development with wildlife protection effectively.
Brian, is there any message or insight you’d like to share with others looking to undertake similar wildlife protection initiatives using drone technology?
“It’s crucial to work with the environment rather than disrupt or displace the local wildlife. Our goal isn’t to permanently remove them from the area but to temporarily deter them so that the work can proceed safely. We’re simply guiding them away from the project site, allowing them to nest nearby without interference. Once the work is complete, they can return to their usual nesting spots. The key is finding the balance between protecting the wildlife and completing the project efficiently”
– Brian Hamilton, Field Operations Coordinator at AERIUM Analytics.
Image description: Polar bear walking through the snowy landscape of Manitoba, Canada / Image Credits: AERIUM Analytics
The progress didn’t stop there. More recently, on February 23, 2024, the governments of Canada and Manitoba announced a joint investment of up to C$60 million to complete upgrades to the Hudson Bay Railway (HBRY) and begin redeveloping the Port of Churchill, continuing the region’s growth and transformation. ( Learn more here: https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/for-hbry-port-of-churchill-a-c60mm-investment/ )
The Churchill Weir reconstruction project demonstrated the power of teamwork, technology, and community involvement in balancing infrastructure development with wildlife protection. With AERIUM’s RoBird™ and Pacific Northwest Raptors’ expertise, the team successfully reduced bird activity while preserving the local ecosystem.
