[UK-CONTEST] Bird Defence

[G3RIR]

My observations are similar to Ian's. The effect of the plastic owl lasted a
short while only although I have yet to try the variety suggested from G3LZQ
from a gun shop. Early next week I shall try to buy one.

I have tried the fishing line which stops the starlings but at present I
have only used the line on the boom of the vhf/uhf antennas but on the
elements as well on the HF yagi. I have found that I need two lines with one
about about 35mm from the boom and another a further 35mm up. This is
necessary as the local pigeons can land on and squash the lower line down on
to the boom. The higher one on its own is too high to stop the starlings. I
use large cable ties with the ends sticking up in the air to support the
line. Holes having been drilled in the cable ties. Yes it is a lot of work
and I have still to work on the vhf/uhf elements which the pigeons wont use
but the starlings love. My beams are above the patio and the s**t comes all
year but the effect is worst in the elderberry/blackberry season.

Neil, G3RIR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian White, G3SEK" <G3SEK at ifwtech.co.uk>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2002 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] CQWW at GM4YXI


> Paul wrote:
> >
> >>I have a friend whose thatched roof has been attacked in a similar
fashion
> >>the bird c**p
> >>appears to rot both the thatch and the wire placed on top to retain it.
A
> >>local thatcher (not Margaret) suggested getting a plastic look alike
bird of
> >>prey and mount it on the chimney. He now has a 2ft high owl!! on his
house
> >>and the problem appears to have gone away - might be finding out what
> >>starlings are wary off.
> >
> >Yup.. a plastic owl will do the job very well.
> >
> >I use them on commercial towers when they are near to car parks etc.
> >
>
> Here they seem to work for a while, but after a few weeks the effect
> wears off. All it takes is for one incredibly smart or stupid bird (I
> can never decide which) to perch next to the plastic bird, and not get
> torn to pieces - next thing you know, they're all trying to perch on its
> head.
>
> In this respect, the birds are less stupid that the local bird-watcher
> who got soaked trying to work out why a Little Owl would perch on top of
> a radio mast in the pouring rain.
>
> Fortunately the real birds forget after you take it down, so after a
> while it will work again. Since the yagis are over the patio, I tend to
> reserve the plastic owl for the elderberry season when it's needed the
> most.
>
> Next step will be a weather-vane contraption, so the bird will move
> about in the wind. Right at the top of the mast seems to be the best
> place, where it looks like it can swoop down on them all.
>
> A fishing line stretched tight about 1in above the boom makes it awkward
> to perch there, but obviously that trick is more difficult with the
> elements (might manage something with plastic pipe clips?).
>
>
>
> --
> 73 from Ian G3SEK
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