The Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System broadcasts natural bird distress calls through three loudspeaker channels and creates an environment which is hostile to birds. The system comes pre loaded with 10 distress calls:
Herring Gull
Black Headed Gull
Rook
Jackdaw
Crow
Pigeon
Canada Goose 1
Canada Goose 2
Birds of Prey
Starling
Benefits of the Scarecrow BIRD system
10 bird pest distress calls – plus a large library of additional calls available
Fully IP rated – can cope with most agricultural conditions
Built in remote light sensor – for dawn to dusk operation
Low energy consumption – several weeks of battery usage
Unobtrusive – broadcasts at natural sound levels for birds
Key features of the Operating Unit
Single or multiple call selection, with automatic random playback
Calls are broadcast for random periods up to 90 seconds over the target area.
Broadcast frequency can be selected from normal (randomly up to every 45 minutes), re-enforce (randomly up to every 10 – 30 minutes) or severe (randomly up to every 5 – 15 minutes)
Within all of the above play back options the playback volume automatically adjusts randomly between a minimum level and a set maximum level.
Finally, to provide an extra element of confusion, the system broadcasts via each speaker in turn.
The Scarecrow BIRD system is designed to create an uncomfortable and hostile environment for birds. Hearing the sound of their own kind in distress creates an association of danger with the broadcast area. Using automatic random play features, the target species are unable to locate a possible predator and so are kept on the move to alternative ‘safer’ feeding grounds.
The system has been known to permanently alter the habitats of pest species, changing regular flight paths and diverting them elsewhere.
The Scarecrow system of bio acoustic bird control in agriculture has been used in many types of situations:
Pigeons in cereals, brassicas and fruit
Crows in cereals and on golf greens
Starlings in dairy units and on silage
Geese on grazing lands
Seagulls in fish farms, rubbish heaps and marinas
Crows and Starlings in fruit orchards
Using the Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System effectively
All bird control situations differ in many respects. The Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System can only be truly effective as part of a planned programme of bird control. This includes appropriate siting of the speakers, choice and setting of operation functions and total hygiene management, such as removal of nests in buildings and suitable netting to prevent roosting.
Setting the maximum volume
Bird species will assume a distress call is false if it is too loud or unnatural. Although the playback volume adjusts randomly, choose a maximum level that suits the circumstances. Flat land may require a higher setting; a dairy unit setting would usually be at a lower level.
Choice of distress calls
Selecting several calls can be more effective. For example, if the problem is pigeons in rape, select the rook, jackdaw and crow as well as the pigeon distress call to play at random. All three crow species will predate the young of pigeons, so this gives added pressure on the pigeons to move. Adding the bird of prey call will add an extra dimension to any bird control situation.
Where to locate the unit for best results
The distress calls have greatest effect if they appear to be coming from above the birds. If the speakers are located high enough on a pole or similar structure, the birds should lift from the fields. If a unit is being used in a barn to remove Starlings, for example, site the speakers at the highest point possible. Some experimentation may be needed to find how the unit works best in each situation – different species react with varied urgency.
Coverage area
The coverage area of the Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System speakers depends on factors such as the lie of the land, the presence of sound absorbing structures such as trees or hedges, sound reflecting structures such as buildings and walls, the mounting height and wind speed. In trials in open agricultural land, pigeon control over a radius of 300m in an arc of 180° was achieved. On a calm day in a shallow valley, rooks and crows up to 2 miles away lifted and were disturbed.
Effect on other animals such as horses and pheasants
The bird distress calls which are emitted are only recognisable as a threat to that particular pest species. To any other animal or to people in the vicinity it seems to be a natural bird sound.
Control of other bird species
10 bird calls are available on the unit at any one time. However, for a small charge, any call can be exchanged for another from an extensive library of calls. The Mute Swan (as its name suggests) does not have any distinctive calls so cannot be included.
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