Birds are definitely an issue...
We keep our RV-12 at the Albany Municipal Airport in Albany, Oregon. The airport is situated between the I-5 interstate and a large city park. Oregon has relatively temperate winter months and there is plenty of rain so waterbirds tend to congregate at the park where they swim in leisure and are often fed by people that often spend time at the park. It is expected that you will often see birds on or near the airport every time you fly and although bird strikes aren't that common here; we are all probably just lucky that we don't have more strikes.
I'm very glad Ashley wasn't Crashley as a result of his strike. A bird strike cannot be fun and I know nobody wants to hit a bird; but extra caution really needs to be exercised around known bird 'hangouts'.
Jay Sluiter
N124CS
Albany, OR (S12)