Date:
June, 2022
Habituation to the use of bird scare devices can make them less effective. Planning for a diversity of tactics is the best defense.
Best Practises recommends 3 different tools. Written records of you bird scare tactics is very important if you ever have to respond to a neighbour’s noise complaint. A donation to the Starling Control Program is a valid bird predation tool.
For all noise scaring devices (e.g. sound pistols, stationary automated bird distress call devices, propane cannons):
- one half hour before sunrise and 7:00 p.m. local time or dusk; reserve early morning device use for the heaviest bird pressure
- locate the device in a manner to minimize the impact on surrounding residences while maintaining bird control effectiveness
- establish a local monitor person for each farm where the owner/operator does not live within hearing range of the farm where devices are used
- attach or write a contact phone number of any stationary device.
For propane cannons:
- no more than one device per two hectares
- no more than one firing per 5 minutes for single shot devices and no more than 11 activations or maximum of 33 shots in any hour for a multiple shot device
For other automated bird distress call devices:
- an intermittent basis so that the sound is not continuous.
See the attached document for more information.
