Several nearby dairy farms applied liquid manure via direct injection yesterday. This morning I noticed several flocks of Starlings feeding in the field next to me and adjacent to the berry field.
I went out and shot of my shotgun a number of times, and discovered the field had "thousands" of Starlings. The shooting broke up their numbers into 5-6 flocks. Most stayed away, but one flock came back within an hour.
Not sure what they were feeding on, but guess small worms/insects, perhaps seed/grain transmitted by the manure.
Later on, early afternoon, I noticed a flock of about 100 flying in that "stunt formation" that Starlings will do from time to time. They were flying from south to north over and near the berry field. Just about the time they got near a set of woods near my property, 2 Rough-legged Hawks and a Coopers Hawk went after them. One of the Rough-legged got one, and this completely scattered the flock in all directions.
CS
REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower!
The Enemy -- The Villain
Creative Alternatives to Cannons
Describing alternative ways to repel Starlings from a commercial blueberry operation in Whatcom County, Washington during the 2008 season. This is an attempt to demonstrate reasonable and realistic alternatives to the devastating noise created by liquid propane (Lp) cannons.
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2 comments:
Hey:
Thanks for the info. The blog is a great idea!
Since you are seeing so many starlings already, and they seem to be attracted by the dairy manure, have you noticed a Wildlife Services starling trap in the area. Do you think a trap would catch some?
I noticed a trap at a dairy down the road from me. I was glad to see it.
I saw a few starlings in the trap as I drove by. Don't know if they were decoys or if some are getting trapped.
Nope, I don't see any Starling traps in my area. Too bad. It would help both the dairy farmer and blueberry grower combined. The cost is $400 per trap per year. Often 1000's of Starlings are trapped and eliminated per trap each year. It would be great if a joint effort were initiated with both ag interests active in a comprehensive way, that targeted Starlings, having each share in concentrated way, the costs with reducing the population numbers.
CS
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