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Contact:	Brian Roth, 252-793-4257
	Joe Albea, 252-355-7538 (w) 252-916-0380 (cell)
	Derb Carter, 919-818-7614 (cell) 919-967-1450 (w-SELC)
	Chris Canfield, 919-929-3899 (w)

December 7, 2005, Chapel Hill, NC—Observers of this morning's flyover by Navy Super Hornets gasped as a jet banked away from a flock of large birds, just missing a collision. The event occurred over a proposed jet landing field site in Washington County, North Carolina. Some news media and other observers caught the event on tape.

The flights, which began just after 7:30 a.m., were part of the Navy's court-ordered reexamination of its environmental impacts should the field be built.

Former Navy flight officer Brian Roth saw the Super Hornet near what would be the departure end of the runway suddenly bank away from a dozen Tundra Swans. "The plane was very fortunate not to collide with the flock. That is clearly what we'd call a near miss." Roth is mayor of nearby Plymouth, North Carolina.

Videographer and wildlife expert Joe Albea had his high-definition TV camera rolling as the plane veered overhead at close to 150 miles per hour. "I couldn't believe how close those birds were to the plane. We all saw it, and it proves just how insane it is for the Navy to try to put a landing field here."

Albea is quick to point out that had the flights been carried out the day before, the situation would have been even worse. Both Snow Geese and Tundra Swans blanketed the area by the thousands. On today's run, Snow Geese had moved elsewhere, but at least a thousand Tundra Swan flew directly across the proposed airstrip during the 1.5-hour demonstration period.

Southern Environmental Law Center senior attorney Derb Carter was also on hand. "What was striking to me was the way the birds were diving to avoid the path of the plane as it was pulling the other direction to avoid them." Carter notes that other birds in the vicinity, even those much further away, were visibly disturbed and confused by the maneuvers of the plane during the demonstration.

"If the Navy truly takes into account the results of their experiment, they will conclude what so many of us have know all along - the jets and birds don't mix," said Chris Canfield, Executive Director of Audubon North Carolina. "To say otherwise is merely a symptom of deep denial and political arm-twisting."

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is winter home to more than 100,000 large swans, geese and other waterfowl. The Navy's proposed landing field is just a few miles from the refuge boundaries and within feeding areas of the winter birds. In September, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond affirmed a lower court ruling that the Navy had failed to adequately address environmental issues as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The Navy plans to conclude its supplemental environmental studies by early 2007. The Pocosin Lakes site remains the Navy's "preferred choice" during this new study period as they are also offering to buy land in the vicinity.

Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

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Note: **The photographer, Joe Albea, expressly waves any rights to this photograph so that it may be used by any media publication. The photograph is available for immediate release.**
Media wishing higher-quality materials may contact Joe Albea directly.

Quick-time version of compilation video will be available on the NoOLF web site and at the Southern Environment web site.