A pilot friend of the family, who has flown for American [30+ years], says flying in and out of JFK is treacherous b/c of the migrating birds in the tidal shallows surrounding the airport; last minute runway closures/redirects are common; culling continues...
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131108-aircraft-bird-strikes-faa-radar-science/
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