After takeoff, small aircraft turned to avoid birds. Near midair collision.

Attributes
ACN	232137
Time
Date	199301
Day	Tue
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	airport : sba
State Reference	CA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 500 msl bound upper : 1000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : sba
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 20 flight time total : 1000 flight time type : 20
ASRS Report	232137
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : local
Qualification	controller : non radar
Events
Anomaly	conflict : nmac
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : took evasive action
Consequence	Other
Miss Distance	horizontal : 200

Narrative:

Upon takeoff from santa barbara airport, I encountered birds between 500 ft and 1000 ft. Above the shoreline, I deviated west to avoid collision with them. I was surprised as I did not know birds flew at night. Having my landing light on was extremely beneficial.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AFTER TKOF, SMA TURNED TO AVOID BIRDS. NMAC.

Narrative: UPON TKOF FROM SANTA BARBARA ARPT, I ENCOUNTERED BIRDS BTWN 500 FT AND 1000 FT. ABOVE THE SHORELINE, I DEVIATED W TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THEM. I WAS SURPRISED AS I DID NOT KNOW BIRDS FLEW AT NIGHT. HAVING MY LNDG LIGHT ON WAS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.