This will involve the use of at least 14 Peregrine JacKites, 1 Bald Eagle JacKite, and 3 Vigilante Helikites. This I call the "Baseline" strategy. Also from time to time, we will try to get some Remote Controlled model airplanes to fly around or over the field; and, put up some Stunt Kites adjacent to the field. This I call the "Adjunct" strategy.
The baseline is to deploy the kites in ever changing locations, concentrations, and combinations keeping the Starlings wary. This to fight issues of habituation (birds getting used to the devices and ignoring them).
Initially the Peregrines will be set out evenly around the perimeter of the field. Then they will be moved several posts in a clockwise rotation. After about a week, they all come down, and the 3 Vigilantes go up along an evenly spaced centerline of the field. Still later, these come down, and up pops the one Bald Eagle JacKite.
From that point on throughout the rest of the ripening season, all sorts of mixed-matched combinations of how and where these devices are placed.
At various times, some of the adjunct strategies will randomly be deployed. We may even go out from time to time and shoot at or shoot the Starlings, thus giving them a sense real danger is present.
Several Key Principles:
1. We will get this Plan going at the FIRST sign of Starling predation. This so there is limited familiarity by the birds that this location/field is a source of food. It is essential as far as Starlings are concerned (flocking birds), that the "scout birds" from the flock that are testing the field, get a negative experience. They in-turn move on. If you wait too long, so the "family group" (the flock) arrives, then the pressure will be unrelenting.
2. We will have to keep the strategies in constant change/flux. This so the Starlings do not habituate to any device, any application or timing.
3. We will have to regularly monitor the field situation. This so we know what the actual Starling pressure is at any given time. We know there are two main directions the Starlings come from (two groves of trees). Perhaps the kites will have to be redeployed to specifically respond to actual conditions.
There is another strategy I would like to try with the grower's permission, but this may not happen this year. This is to use Migrate™ for Agriculture. See a subsequent post for more detail.
I estimate the above Plan will require approximately 40-45 man/hours. At $12/hour this would cost $540 for the season. Costs for the JacKites, Helikites, bamboo poles, misc. (this is what I paid for these items) is near $1,200. The total equalling $1,740. Based upon last year's production and gross income/ton/acre, I estimate this year's gross income from fruit to be around $122,500 [factors: 10 acres, 3.5 ton harvest/acre, $1.75/pound].
This would mean this Starling Management Plan would amount to around 1.42%.
If fruit loss by Starlings in this 10 acre field is 25% (with any repellent), and if this Plan reduced that loss by 1/2, the preventative savings by this $1,740 would be around $15,300. Not bad.
But of course much of this is estimating, its a start. It provides a framework. It is to be tested. That's why I am doing this.
So now we get ready.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
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