Picking up were we left off earlier in Mountain or Mole Hill?, now using updated numbers from the past 30-days (July 6-August 5, 2008, less July 18 with no observations), let's see what sort of berry losses were likely to have occurred this past growing season.
Remember the first posting Mountain or Mole Hill? only relied upon a set of figures based on one day’s observed bird numbers, and we used a 50-day period as the season. Below the bird numbers come from observations made during both a 30-day period which was this season's length.
During these 30-days, I made 68 observations while in the blueberry field which averages 2.26 observations/day. The grand total number of birds observed (all species) that were present in, arriving or departing the field equaled 941 during those 68 observations.
In an effort to average out the number of birds throughout the 30-day period and thus come to some sort of conclusion how many birds were present at any given time, here's how I did that:
The number of birds per observation = 13.8 [941/68=13.8]
The number of birds per day = 31.3 [13.8 X 2.26=31.3]
For now, let us assume that these 31.3 birds are all that has impacted the berries each of the 30-days, each day.
Assuming each bird destroys 10 berries per day, the berry loss per day would be 313 berries per day. Total losses for 30-days would be 9,390 berries.
Even though I think we have a pretty good idea for numbers of birds in the field at any given time, lets say I underestimated this number by 3.
Now, let us assume there are 93.9 birds in the field. Each destroys 10 berries per day. The daily loss would be 939 berries. Total losses for 30-days would be 28,170 berries.
Going back to the assumed field’s standing inventory equalling 14,076,238 berries (see earlier post), let’s calculate what sort of percentage loss these 93.9 birds have on the field.
28,170 berries lost during 30-days divided by 14,076,238 total inventory = 0.002 or 0.2% loss for the 30-day period.
Okay let’s make it even worse, way worse. We will increase the impact 10 times (either by number of birds, or the same number but these gluttons eating 10 times the fruit…serious digestive problems to follow for sure). Based on this, the 30-day total loss will be 2.0%.
REMEMBER: This last number has increased from ACTUAL bird observations by a factor of THIRTY (30) TIMES!
Within reason we have overall bird predation impact between a range of: 0.2% a likely and moderate estimate, to 2.0% a unobserved worst case and unlikely scenario.
Again...all I am trying to do here is give EVERYONE some sense of what the scale is when it comes to berry loss by birds. Especially when the impact of cannons is real, invasive and harmful.
Let me add another poignant consideration.
During those 68 in-field observations, of the total 941 birds in the count, 537 were Robins and 179 (19%) were Starlings. And of those Starlings, 117 were observed on one day (July 28th). If you consider that day real, but unusual and disregard it, then observed for the remaining 29-days were only 62 Starlings. Just 62!
Either way, you do the math to find out what the fruit-loss was for this season for this field by Starlings! Try it you'll like it...hey Mikey!
The poignant point is this: Robins do not respond to loud explosive repellent devices. This is my 4-year personal observation. Even directly targeting (but missing on purpose) incoming robins and shooting off a shotgun - does not deter them! Shooting over the field does not work. Blasting Lp cannons does not work. Nothing works except perhaps a taste repellent (Migrate-RejexIt) or netting.
So if growers face the same sort of number scenarios as above: Starlings a minor component of predation, and Robins are the majority, and cannons applied automatically and indiscriminately ... I ask for what? What are we trying to do? For what good? And placing at risk the health and well-being of the rural community? Why?!
I am not addressing conditions of the hoards of Starlings, which may be out there somewhere. I am addressing the real conditions found in fields like described in this blog.
More on this later. But thanks for plowing through this with me.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
August 6 2008
I could say the effort is over for now. The field work and experiments with quiet alternatives have ended...as far as I can see.
I hope to use the Helikites and JacKites on another field if a grower is interested...still have extra helium, and why put these guys to bed when they can still be working for someone else.
In the days ahead, there will be fewer posts, certainly not on an every day basis...whew its been an intense 5 weeks. I hope to sit back and do some reflecting on what happened this growing season in this one blueberry field. Perhaps some of it will be transferable to and for other growers?!
I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be given this chance to try some things out in this particular field. For this blueberry grower, who I did not know very well, to give me basically "carte blanc" in access to this field...well that was bold and risky: "Who is this crazy yaa-hoo who plays with flying bird kites on bamboo poles?" Yet he granted such access. As the summer progressed, we gained a growing trusting relationship. Perhaps a bit tentative throughout. But with the "proof-in-the-pudding" end results "...so little damage...", I think our relationship has solidified.
This blueberry grower is to be greatly appreciated and praised. Thank you my friend.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
I hope to use the Helikites and JacKites on another field if a grower is interested...still have extra helium, and why put these guys to bed when they can still be working for someone else.
In the days ahead, there will be fewer posts, certainly not on an every day basis...whew its been an intense 5 weeks. I hope to sit back and do some reflecting on what happened this growing season in this one blueberry field. Perhaps some of it will be transferable to and for other growers?!
I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be given this chance to try some things out in this particular field. For this blueberry grower, who I did not know very well, to give me basically "carte blanc" in access to this field...well that was bold and risky: "Who is this crazy yaa-hoo who plays with flying bird kites on bamboo poles?" Yet he granted such access. As the summer progressed, we gained a growing trusting relationship. Perhaps a bit tentative throughout. But with the "proof-in-the-pudding" end results "...so little damage...", I think our relationship has solidified.
This blueberry grower is to be greatly appreciated and praised. Thank you my friend.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August 5 2008
6:45 am
Calm and very bright again
Berry pickers arriving and starting to pick.
7:00 am
The 1 HK was soaking wet from dew, and sitting on grass field. Put up on metal post to dry out. Deployed the other HK at NW corner, to 1/2 elevation height. Took 10 minutes.
Observed 5 robins, 3 finches, 0 starlings at the north west corner of field. Saw little activity to south. There are about 30 field workers in the field. Robins are for the most part ignoring them or flying around their locations, still landing in the field.
8:15 am
Deployed the HK that has dried on metal post 1/2 way between woods and field, is at 1/4 elevation height. Took 5 minutes.
Took no observations of birds.
1:00 pm
Took down both Helikites for good. Stored. Took 30 minutes.
8:00 pm
Took down all my JacKites for good. Stored. Took 1 hour.
I called the grower to inform him all the kites were down and gone.
I received a wonderful response from him, "There was so little damage to the fruit!" He also thanked me for providing the help with monitoring the field with the kites. Also stated how impressive it was to get the vultures and eagle to show up and "scare the shit out of the birds." Yep that was fun.
I asked if we could "debrief" in a couple weeks, asking what went right, what did not. He agreed.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Calm and very bright again
Berry pickers arriving and starting to pick.
7:00 am
The 1 HK was soaking wet from dew, and sitting on grass field. Put up on metal post to dry out. Deployed the other HK at NW corner, to 1/2 elevation height. Took 10 minutes.
Observed 5 robins, 3 finches, 0 starlings at the north west corner of field. Saw little activity to south. There are about 30 field workers in the field. Robins are for the most part ignoring them or flying around their locations, still landing in the field.
8:15 am
Deployed the HK that has dried on metal post 1/2 way between woods and field, is at 1/4 elevation height. Took 5 minutes.
Took no observations of birds.
1:00 pm
Took down both Helikites for good. Stored. Took 30 minutes.
8:00 pm
Took down all my JacKites for good. Stored. Took 1 hour.
I called the grower to inform him all the kites were down and gone.
I received a wonderful response from him, "There was so little damage to the fruit!" He also thanked me for providing the help with monitoring the field with the kites. Also stated how impressive it was to get the vultures and eagle to show up and "scare the shit out of the birds." Yep that was fun.
I asked if we could "debrief" in a couple weeks, asking what went right, what did not. He agreed.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Monday, August 4, 2008
August 4 2008
7:45am
Calm; very bright morning sun.
I went out to put up the two Helikites. Topped them off with helium. Deployed 1 at the very NW corner of field at about 1/2 elevation; the other deployed at about center of field on the west row to full elevation. Took 20 min.
Saw & talked grower, says will start handpicking today. He was patroling perimeter of field.
I was planning on resupply the bait area with fresh innards, but if picking starts, will hold off. With 30 people spread out in the field, this will help repel Starlings.
I observed 16 robins, 4 finches, 2 starlings. Robins are still feeding mostly at NW corner; the Starlings in the mid-center.
One Rough-legged hawk on telephone pole NE 1/2 mile.
Two or three triple shot cannons going of NE about 1 mile. They were on only a short time from about 8-8:30 am.
I shot 1 shotgun shell, this flushed 1 starling, 2 robins.
2:00 pm
Helikites are active in the wind.
4:00 pm
I saw 2 Rough-legged hawks resting side-by-side on telephone 1/4 mile due west.
5:00 pm
I move and lowered the HK that was center in west row.
Observed 7 robins, 5 finches, 1 starling.
6-6:15 pm
Took down 1 HK; other put on post 1/2 way between woods and NW corner. Left at 30' height, will leave up all night. Placing at this location because its the major traffic conduit to the field.
Took 15 min.
Observed 6 robins, 2 finches, 1 starling. No or little bird activity to south part of field.
Dairy to west of me, injecting manure in his fields - all day.
6:30 pm
Cannons to the NNE firing, about 1 to 1 and half mile.
7:15 pm
Cannons to NW, N, and NE shooting. I think most are Canadian.
See very little activity between NW corner of field and woods.
7:20 pm
It sounds like a war to the north, can't count # of cannon blasts; but I think the bulk are Canadian.
8:00 pm
Cannons all off.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Calm; very bright morning sun.
I went out to put up the two Helikites. Topped them off with helium. Deployed 1 at the very NW corner of field at about 1/2 elevation; the other deployed at about center of field on the west row to full elevation. Took 20 min.
Saw & talked grower, says will start handpicking today. He was patroling perimeter of field.
I was planning on resupply the bait area with fresh innards, but if picking starts, will hold off. With 30 people spread out in the field, this will help repel Starlings.
I observed 16 robins, 4 finches, 2 starlings. Robins are still feeding mostly at NW corner; the Starlings in the mid-center.
One Rough-legged hawk on telephone pole NE 1/2 mile.
Two or three triple shot cannons going of NE about 1 mile. They were on only a short time from about 8-8:30 am.
I shot 1 shotgun shell, this flushed 1 starling, 2 robins.
2:00 pm
Helikites are active in the wind.
4:00 pm
I saw 2 Rough-legged hawks resting side-by-side on telephone 1/4 mile due west.
5:00 pm
I move and lowered the HK that was center in west row.
Observed 7 robins, 5 finches, 1 starling.
6-6:15 pm
Took down 1 HK; other put on post 1/2 way between woods and NW corner. Left at 30' height, will leave up all night. Placing at this location because its the major traffic conduit to the field.
Took 15 min.
Observed 6 robins, 2 finches, 1 starling. No or little bird activity to south part of field.
Dairy to west of me, injecting manure in his fields - all day.
6:30 pm
Cannons to the NNE firing, about 1 to 1 and half mile.
7:15 pm
Cannons to NW, N, and NE shooting. I think most are Canadian.
See very little activity between NW corner of field and woods.
7:20 pm
It sounds like a war to the north, can't count # of cannon blasts; but I think the bulk are Canadian.
8:00 pm
Cannons all off.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
August 3 2008
2:45 am
Two triple-shooter cannons going...I think from SE? Got out of bed to try to locate..but by time outside they stopped. I think someone was setting and/or testing them.
9:15 am
Calm, sunny.
Again fixed eagle pole.
Observed 13 robins, 12 finches, 1 starling. 7 finches were Amer. gold finches.
No vultures etc. Perhaps too little wind to fly. Bait still there.
I see 45-50 starlings on telephone line by barn just north of my house.
12:30 pm
Rough-legged hawk circling north end of blueberry field in tight circles.
Not seeing any starlings near my area or the barn area.
4:30 pm
JacKite bald eagle line tangled around it's wings - fixed.
Observed 10 robins, 7 finches, 3 starlings all in very NW corner of field - the robins are using corn field for retreat. Rest of field is quiet.
I fired 2 shotgun blasts...nothing happened, nothing rousted.
4:45 pm
Noticed less presence and actvity from the 3 Rough-legged hawks. Also much less presence of swallows...where do both go?
7:00 pm
North dairy field adjacent to the berries is being irrigated.
Observed 15 robins, 4 finch, 6 starlings. Most are entering/exiting the center mid-point in the field. Starlings and finches using my woods for staging.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Two triple-shooter cannons going...I think from SE? Got out of bed to try to locate..but by time outside they stopped. I think someone was setting and/or testing them.
9:15 am
Calm, sunny.
Again fixed eagle pole.
Observed 13 robins, 12 finches, 1 starling. 7 finches were Amer. gold finches.
No vultures etc. Perhaps too little wind to fly. Bait still there.
I see 45-50 starlings on telephone line by barn just north of my house.
12:30 pm
Rough-legged hawk circling north end of blueberry field in tight circles.
Not seeing any starlings near my area or the barn area.
4:30 pm
JacKite bald eagle line tangled around it's wings - fixed.
Observed 10 robins, 7 finches, 3 starlings all in very NW corner of field - the robins are using corn field for retreat. Rest of field is quiet.
I fired 2 shotgun blasts...nothing happened, nothing rousted.
4:45 pm
Noticed less presence and actvity from the 3 Rough-legged hawks. Also much less presence of swallows...where do both go?
7:00 pm
North dairy field adjacent to the berries is being irrigated.
Observed 15 robins, 4 finch, 6 starlings. Most are entering/exiting the center mid-point in the field. Starlings and finches using my woods for staging.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
August 2 2008
7:30 am
3 vultures circling east end of woods; and moved west over my house. A Coopers hawk is chasing one.
8:15 am
Grower monitoring.
Side note: I am seeing, as have been all summer, more barn swallows than ever, and they are active all day vs early evening in past years.
9:45 am
3 vultures moving over woods and closer to bait. 1 Rough-legged hawk watching from tree in woods. Heard a bald eagl near by, don't see.
10:00 am
4 vultures moving from woods going SW over dairy. Seems much less presence of Starlings near my area and the adjacent dairy.
10:45 am
Drove west edge of field.
Observed 10 robins; 5 finches, 0 starlings. Distribution of birds is about 60% locating around the north-center of the field; but more are in south sections. Robins now arriving from woods but going to the south end. I can see that the cow innards being scavanged as I drive by.
10:43 am
Still notice very few starlings around.
11:17 am
Grower monitoring.
11:30 am
Bald eagle in tree by dairy across road.
12:30 pm
My hawk is quite active and vocal; flew over my house, looking a bit ragged, is missing a fair number of wing feathers. The other Rough-legged hawk is circing over woods, with a vulture over NW corner of field. Another vulture flew over me at 60'. Young Rough-legged just flew over me and backyard. So there appears to be 3 Rough-legged hawks using my woods. Young hawk and 3 vultures over my grass field circling over bait area. There are now 5 vutures, one flying lower, right over me at 25' height. They know there's food at bait, but wary, flying over it with 1/4 mi radius.
Ah ahh...all this time, there were 4 vultures on the bait...something spooked them...it was the bald eagle. Wow now there is 16 vultures all circling over bait. Gradually they scattered.
1:00 pm
1 Rough-legged hawk came in from the north and traveled south, followed by vulture that circling bait.
1:15 pm
Went to check the bait. Then to blueberry field. I was amazed for there was not one bird in or near the field. This is the first time during ripening, that I have not seen ONE bird of some sort in the field. Wow! I videoed the vultures and the condition of the field. [See below] This shows one bald eagle feeding on some yummies; with a group of 10-15 turkey vultures buzzing around wishing for some portions. The effect: no robins, finches or starlings: they all but disappeared!
2:45 pm
One lone vulture circling very high over field, moving north to south.
4:30 pm
I am monitoring.
Observed 7 robins all in 1 group fly in in "hot and heavy" (fast and low)...they seemed very uneasy. There were 0 finches, 1 starling. Field very quiet. 3 vultures within 1/2 mile radius, flying separately.
6:00 pm
I drove the north end of field, stopped, waited.
Observed 0 birds of any kind.
7:15 pm
I drove full perimeter of field.
Observed 0 robins, 2 finches, 0 starlings. Amazing!
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
3 vultures circling east end of woods; and moved west over my house. A Coopers hawk is chasing one.
8:15 am
Grower monitoring.
Side note: I am seeing, as have been all summer, more barn swallows than ever, and they are active all day vs early evening in past years.
9:45 am
3 vultures moving over woods and closer to bait. 1 Rough-legged hawk watching from tree in woods. Heard a bald eagl near by, don't see.
10:00 am
4 vultures moving from woods going SW over dairy. Seems much less presence of Starlings near my area and the adjacent dairy.
10:45 am
Drove west edge of field.
Observed 10 robins; 5 finches, 0 starlings. Distribution of birds is about 60% locating around the north-center of the field; but more are in south sections. Robins now arriving from woods but going to the south end. I can see that the cow innards being scavanged as I drive by.
10:43 am
Still notice very few starlings around.
11:17 am
Grower monitoring.
11:30 am
Bald eagle in tree by dairy across road.
12:30 pm
My hawk is quite active and vocal; flew over my house, looking a bit ragged, is missing a fair number of wing feathers. The other Rough-legged hawk is circing over woods, with a vulture over NW corner of field. Another vulture flew over me at 60'. Young Rough-legged just flew over me and backyard. So there appears to be 3 Rough-legged hawks using my woods. Young hawk and 3 vultures over my grass field circling over bait area. There are now 5 vutures, one flying lower, right over me at 25' height. They know there's food at bait, but wary, flying over it with 1/4 mi radius.
Ah ahh...all this time, there were 4 vultures on the bait...something spooked them...it was the bald eagle. Wow now there is 16 vultures all circling over bait. Gradually they scattered.
1:00 pm
1 Rough-legged hawk came in from the north and traveled south, followed by vulture that circling bait.
1:15 pm
Went to check the bait. Then to blueberry field. I was amazed for there was not one bird in or near the field. This is the first time during ripening, that I have not seen ONE bird of some sort in the field. Wow! I videoed the vultures and the condition of the field. [See below] This shows one bald eagle feeding on some yummies; with a group of 10-15 turkey vultures buzzing around wishing for some portions. The effect: no robins, finches or starlings: they all but disappeared!
2:45 pm
One lone vulture circling very high over field, moving north to south.
4:30 pm
I am monitoring.
Observed 7 robins all in 1 group fly in in "hot and heavy" (fast and low)...they seemed very uneasy. There were 0 finches, 1 starling. Field very quiet. 3 vultures within 1/2 mile radius, flying separately.
6:00 pm
I drove the north end of field, stopped, waited.
Observed 0 birds of any kind.
7:15 pm
I drove full perimeter of field.
Observed 0 robins, 2 finches, 0 starlings. Amazing!
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
August 1 2008
Midnight and on....
A grower up in the Northwood/Halverstick area is firing 2 triple-shot cannons every 2 min for each cannon.
8-8:30 am
Grower monitoring.
8:50 am
I fixed the eagle pole for it slipped down 2 sections.
Observed 6 robins, 6 finches, 1 gold finch; 12 starlings, most in or departing mid center of field. North end squawker still not operating.
Berries very ripe. I really wonder if I should just take down all the JacKites...they have been up way too long without substantial change. But we're so close to harvest...it's a dilemma.
11:15 am
I am in the field again...the eagle pole telescoped down again. Must be from being wet. I moved it south about 100'.
Observed 14 robins, 3 finches, 3 starlings. 12 of the robin leaving from the very NW corner, now using adjacent corn field vs the woods now for retreat location...much closer less energy. I shot one shotgun shell, no effect on robins. However when I drove nearby, about 12 left field.
1:00 pm
A vulture arising from bait.
5:30 pm
I am monitoring.
Observed 7 robins, 4 finches, 0 starlings.
Observed 1 vulture 500' height, due east about 1000' and is circling.
Saw a Coopers hawk SE of the field.
6:30-7:00 pm
Grower monitoring, fired 2 screamers.
6:50 pm
A group of 10-15 vultures came in very fast from west circled woods landed I think on north of woods. I called grower on cell to warn not to fire screamer for fear of driving them away. Grower most immpressed with their appearing and appearance ... Asked how I got them there...informed the use of cow innards which attracted a lone vulture which brought the rest.
Grower also commented, "There so few birds!" I replied, "Well its been a good effort, we've learnd a lot."
I've seen on 3 occasions today 1 or more Rough-legged hawks on telephone pole 1/4 mi due east.
11:30-12 pm
Heard one or two triple-shooter(s) cannons firing very rapidly, almost like a machine gun speed... Then stopped. I believe they are the ones we've been hearing at night from the NE.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
A grower up in the Northwood/Halverstick area is firing 2 triple-shot cannons every 2 min for each cannon.
8-8:30 am
Grower monitoring.
8:50 am
I fixed the eagle pole for it slipped down 2 sections.
Observed 6 robins, 6 finches, 1 gold finch; 12 starlings, most in or departing mid center of field. North end squawker still not operating.
Berries very ripe. I really wonder if I should just take down all the JacKites...they have been up way too long without substantial change. But we're so close to harvest...it's a dilemma.
11:15 am
I am in the field again...the eagle pole telescoped down again. Must be from being wet. I moved it south about 100'.
Observed 14 robins, 3 finches, 3 starlings. 12 of the robin leaving from the very NW corner, now using adjacent corn field vs the woods now for retreat location...much closer less energy. I shot one shotgun shell, no effect on robins. However when I drove nearby, about 12 left field.
1:00 pm
A vulture arising from bait.
5:30 pm
I am monitoring.
Observed 7 robins, 4 finches, 0 starlings.
Observed 1 vulture 500' height, due east about 1000' and is circling.
Saw a Coopers hawk SE of the field.
6:30-7:00 pm
Grower monitoring, fired 2 screamers.
6:50 pm
A group of 10-15 vultures came in very fast from west circled woods landed I think on north of woods. I called grower on cell to warn not to fire screamer for fear of driving them away. Grower most immpressed with their appearing and appearance ... Asked how I got them there...informed the use of cow innards which attracted a lone vulture which brought the rest.
Grower also commented, "There so few birds!" I replied, "Well its been a good effort, we've learnd a lot."
I've seen on 3 occasions today 1 or more Rough-legged hawks on telephone pole 1/4 mi due east.
11:30-12 pm
Heard one or two triple-shooter(s) cannons firing very rapidly, almost like a machine gun speed... Then stopped. I believe they are the ones we've been hearing at night from the NE.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...the Good
If you've been reading my posts, you should by now realize how much I appreciate my neighbor blueberry grower. Not only has he invested a great deal in capital, labor, planning and resources, he has also invested priceless care and concern for his 24 neighbors living near his berry field.
Why is he to be appreciated?
1. He did not use Lp cannons.
2. He regularly monitored his fields.
3. He used screamers and/or shotgun discharges to a minimum, and only after 7 am or before 6 pm, and only when he felt there was sufficient bird presence.
4. He used 2 squawkers which are a more moderate audible device.
5. He deployed 20 JacKites on an ever changing location basis.
6. He deployed 2 Helikites on a more limited, back-up basis, also changing in location.
7. He has been considering the purchase and installation of netting for this field.
All this informs me that this particular grower is operating from a balanced perspective of desiring reasonable return on his investment, coupled with a desire to be a good neighbor.
I personally thank him and his family for their supreme effort to work this fine and often "dicey" line! They are much valued as an important part of our agricultural/rural community.
But not to be overlooked...there are others to thank.
Make no mistake, overall this growing season, the blueberry interests in north Whatcom County have made significant strides forward with their use of Lp cannons. They have limited the hours, narrowed the hours, reduced frequency between firing events, and (although I can not see them) it sure seems they have been monitoring their fields to a greater extent.
This is what I sense, mostly via what I hear, from where I live. I have also talked with a variety of other people living all over the north county area, and they too echo my observations and appreciation.
So thank you all of you blueberry growers who have responded this way!
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Why is he to be appreciated?
1. He did not use Lp cannons.
2. He regularly monitored his fields.
3. He used screamers and/or shotgun discharges to a minimum, and only after 7 am or before 6 pm, and only when he felt there was sufficient bird presence.
4. He used 2 squawkers which are a more moderate audible device.
5. He deployed 20 JacKites on an ever changing location basis.
6. He deployed 2 Helikites on a more limited, back-up basis, also changing in location.
7. He has been considering the purchase and installation of netting for this field.
All this informs me that this particular grower is operating from a balanced perspective of desiring reasonable return on his investment, coupled with a desire to be a good neighbor.
I personally thank him and his family for their supreme effort to work this fine and often "dicey" line! They are much valued as an important part of our agricultural/rural community.
But not to be overlooked...there are others to thank.
Make no mistake, overall this growing season, the blueberry interests in north Whatcom County have made significant strides forward with their use of Lp cannons. They have limited the hours, narrowed the hours, reduced frequency between firing events, and (although I can not see them) it sure seems they have been monitoring their fields to a greater extent.
This is what I sense, mostly via what I hear, from where I live. I have also talked with a variety of other people living all over the north county area, and they too echo my observations and appreciation.
So thank you all of you blueberry growers who have responded this way!
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...the Bad
I use the word "bad" lightly here. I just felt like using that old Clint Eastwood spaghetti western's title...it seems to fit with what I hope to share.
Bad really means = "not a particularly effective or appropriate practice".
Specifically, in my drives around the county, at all sorts of hours, I have noticed some trends. One is to be using the squawker devices on auto on a regular basis, without variation in location and times of operation. They remain located constantly at X spot in the field, and, they turn on automatically at dawn and off at dusk.
This in my judgment will eventually create conditions of habituation where birds get used to the distress cries coming from the speaker box.
Variation in both location and operation, will in my judgment, add to the grower's repellent strategies.
Secondly, I have noticed some growers keeping the squawkers on ALL night. This makes no sense. Birds know perfectly well that the sort of sounds (and presumed actions such represent) do not occur in the night, and surely ALL night long. This is so counter to what these devices were designed to do in the first place - mimic actual predator/prey encounters.
And again, as the sun begins to rise, having had the squawker running all night, and continuing with new daylight, the birds will naturally associate this as only background noise, andwill thoroughly disregard it as a threat...thus habituating.
I hope this helps.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
Bad really means = "not a particularly effective or appropriate practice".
Specifically, in my drives around the county, at all sorts of hours, I have noticed some trends. One is to be using the squawker devices on auto on a regular basis, without variation in location and times of operation. They remain located constantly at X spot in the field, and, they turn on automatically at dawn and off at dusk.
This in my judgment will eventually create conditions of habituation where birds get used to the distress cries coming from the speaker box.
Variation in both location and operation, will in my judgment, add to the grower's repellent strategies.
Secondly, I have noticed some growers keeping the squawkers on ALL night. This makes no sense. Birds know perfectly well that the sort of sounds (and presumed actions such represent) do not occur in the night, and surely ALL night long. This is so counter to what these devices were designed to do in the first place - mimic actual predator/prey encounters.
And again, as the sun begins to rise, having had the squawker running all night, and continuing with new daylight, the birds will naturally associate this as only background noise, andwill thoroughly disregard it as a threat...thus habituating.
I hope this helps.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...the Ugly
Let's get right to it -- the use of Lp cannons at night is more than ugly, it is irresponsible in the best, perhaps illegal in the worst.
Beyond that, it is just (let me wisely choose my words here) unbelievably "not useful"!
If the idea for using these most intrusive devices is to "shock and awe" fruit-eating predatory birds, thus scare them away, then someone has got to explain to me, what species of bird is in the fields at night here in Whatcom County?
I do not want to make this bigger than it should be. Yet to hear on 5 occassions the past 14 days, 2 triple-shooter cannons going of at all hours of the quiet night, oh the lament for the sanities of those living near by. For from 3-miles away my wife and I were woke up by this. Window open, drawing in the cool night air, so quiet you could hear Sprint's pin drop, and then boom, boom, boom...and boom, boom, boom...
This was only one grower, only one, here in Whatcom County as far as I can tell. Only one.
One does not color the rest of the blueberry industry of many. But boy oh boy does it do it sad harm.
So that's the ugly part, perhaps the ugliest it can get. We trust it will end and not reoccur.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the day-operational Starling. It is not the day-operational grower.
Beyond that, it is just (let me wisely choose my words here) unbelievably "not useful"!
If the idea for using these most intrusive devices is to "shock and awe" fruit-eating predatory birds, thus scare them away, then someone has got to explain to me, what species of bird is in the fields at night here in Whatcom County?
I do not want to make this bigger than it should be. Yet to hear on 5 occassions the past 14 days, 2 triple-shooter cannons going of at all hours of the quiet night, oh the lament for the sanities of those living near by. For from 3-miles away my wife and I were woke up by this. Window open, drawing in the cool night air, so quiet you could hear Sprint's pin drop, and then boom, boom, boom...and boom, boom, boom...
This was only one grower, only one, here in Whatcom County as far as I can tell. Only one.
One does not color the rest of the blueberry industry of many. But boy oh boy does it do it sad harm.
So that's the ugly part, perhaps the ugliest it can get. We trust it will end and not reoccur.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the day-operational Starling. It is not the day-operational grower.
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