[SCCC] HELP! - Serious Bird Problem on Antennas

Fri Dec 22 23:48:52 EST 2006

Pigeons are a problem in my area.  They nest under the over hanging 
eaves of the houses and make a mess and noise.  I would climb up on a 
ladder and clean out their nests but they would be back the next day 
rebuilding.  I finally hired a professional who came out and screened up 
all the little nooks where they were nesting in my roofs overhangs.

But he also applied some sticky stuff to the roof tiles where they 
land.  He said once they step in it they won't come back.  And it's 
true, they quit trying to nest and don't even land on my roof anymore.  
(Now they moved on to the neighbors roof and eaves).  I don't know what 
this sticky stuff is that they used but can call and ask if you like.

I never have pigeons on my beam.  Maybe the elements are too small for 
their feet.  I do get smaller birds once in awhile but they have not 
been a problem other than poop spatters on the concrete base.  I have an 
owl on my tower but the birds seem to ignore it.

Dennis Younker NE6I wrote:

>You guys are all off base. Dennis just needs to put the rotator on a slow 
>rotate. Birds won't light on a moving boom.  And he'll wind up with 10 dB 
>gain in all directions.  :)
>
>Seriously, all of the usual tactics apply. Shiny objects, physical 
>impediments, moving owls, hawks and/or snakes, or a more inviting landing 
>site nearby.  Find out what type of bird it is and inquire with your local 
>bird experts as to what will keep them from being attracted to your antenna.
>
>The fishing line is a good idea, and smearing oil or grease on the boom and 
>elements will probably work equally well, with less trouble than fishing 
>line.
>
>Birds are creatures of habit. Are you parking the antenna in the same 
>direction each day?  If so, try a different direction.
>
>Also, if you are around when they light on the boom, often just rotating the 
>antenna while they are there will shake them loose and scoot them to another 
>location.
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Alan Zack" <k7acz at cox.net>
>To: "Craig Gullickson" <n6ed at yahoo.com>; <n6ki_73 at sbcglobal.net>; 
><sccc at contesting.com>
>Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 7:53 PM
>Subject: Re: [SCCC] HELP! - Serious Bird Problem on Antennas
>
>
>  
>
>>A lot of work but run some heavy duty fishing line on top and parallel
>>to the elements and boom about 2 or 3 inches above them.  When the birds
>>try to land on the elements or boom they will trip on the fish line and
>>fly off to more stable footing.
>>
>>Craig Gullickson wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>You need many many kilowatts Dennis ;-)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>But seriously, I have seen many vinyards use the mylar streamers on their 
>>>vines for fending off the birds.  They don't like the glittering it puts 
>>>out from the reflection of the sunlight, but then again this might 
>>>aggrevate the neighbors too.
>>>
>>>73 and happy holidays to the group!
>>>Craig, N6ED
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message ----
>>>From: N6KI Dennis Vernacchia <n6ki_73 at sbcglobal.net>
>>>To: SCCC <sccc at contesting.com>
>>>Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 3:35:55 PM
>>>Subject: [SCCC] HELP! - Serious Bird Problem on Antennas
>>>
>>>
>>>HELP !
>>>
>>>   I now have a serious problem with dozens of small birds that for the
>>>past year only
>>>have decided to roost on my 94 ft high 80 mtr antenna. They are pooping
>>>all over my yard
>>>and now the neighbor on east side is getting bird droppings in his
>>>swimming pool etc.
>>>and into his yard area if the prevailing wind from west is blowing.
>>>If you go to QRZ.com you can see pix of my antenna system when you look
>>>up my call.
>>>
>>>I have a fake owl at top of mast and another owl at 22ft below on my Yagi.
>>>For years the fake owls seemed to keep most birds away.
>>>These are small birds with a long shrill type of cry.
>>>Any idea how I am going to get them to leave permanently???
>>>
>>>For years they would only stop by and perch for a few days a couple
>>>times a year,
>>>I assume coming and going somewhere but now they are permanent the past
>>>year it seems.
>>>I guess that means they built their nests somewhere nearby and that the
>>>local owls have not
>>>driven them off or attacked their nests ( or they owls can not get to
>>>their nests. )
>>>
>>>Any advice appreciated !!
>>>
>>>I thought of trying to buy one of those billboard things that looks like
>>>a dipole and rotates but not
>>>sure I can adapt it to my mast system
>>>
>>>
>>>73, Dennis N6KI
>>>Sandy Eggo
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>-- 
>>Alan Zack
>>Amateur Radio Station K7ACZ
>>Official USCG Auxiliary Comm Station
>>Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
>>Delta Rocket Quality Engineer, The Boeing Company, Retired
>>Aviation Chief Warrant Officer,  U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
>>U.S. Coast Guard, Always Ready, Always There
>>Every hour, Every day, Around the Clock and Around the World
>>SEMPER PARATUS
>>http://gocoastguard.com
>>http://www.uscgradio.net
>>http://www.comm-one.org
>>http://patriotfiles.org/CoastiesRule.htm
>>http://images.military.com/Video/050617_CGClip.wmv
>>http://images.military.com/Video/051007_CoastGuard.wmv
>>http://www.quarters-one.com/lipsBill.html
>>http://www.quarters-one.com/lipsOldSchoolRecruiting.html
>>
>>
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>>    
>>
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