VASCM: Alternatives to netting for birds

Wed May 29 10:03:17 PDT 2013

Cannons are not a particularly good idea. They greatly disturb your neighbors (and you and your pets) with their constant, deep booming. And I've yet to hear anyone claim that they do any good. Check with your neighbors, both vintners and regular residents. If they've tried propane cannons (or those pistols that fire an explosive into the air that will scare birds away for all of 30 seconds or so) I'm certain they will not have much good to say about this terribly noisy solution.

Rudy Marinacci
formerly with Martin Ray Vineyards

-----Original Message----- 
From: Vinpichon at aol.com 
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 9:29 AM 
To: jmiller1068 at gmail.com ; Rfalfaro at aol.com 
Cc: VASCM at kkn.net 
Subject: Re: VASCM: Alternatives to netting for birds 

I haven't heard anyone mention the propane cannon?

In a message dated 5/29/2013 9:19:46 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
jmiller1068 at gmail.com writes:

That's  good to know, Richard. My comments were about the vagaries of 
overhead  netting, but from what you say you don't need to use it at all with 
equally  good results. I do know of vineyards that I believe are stretching 
their Pinot  season well into October because of netting blocking, but until I 
have the  right measuring equipment I can't prove it.

Joe

On May 28, 2013,  at 10:35 AM, Rfalfaro at aol.com wrote:

> Using fruit zone nets cuts  down dramatically the shading of the vines 
vs. overhead netting. It costs more  but does not interfere with the 
photosynthesis like the overhead netting  does.... 
>  
> In a message dated 5/28/2013 10:31:36 A.M.  Pacific Daylight Time, 
jmiller1068 at gmail.com writes:
> Many years ago on  a visit to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, I 
found they were using  sounds to keep birds away from their very sensitive 
radio receivers. After  lengthy experiment they came up with a random sound 
generator that made an  infinite series of sounds, some very bizarre, that 
never repeated. They  claimed it had been working for years. I urged the 
people involved to contact  grape and other growers, but I don't believe that 
ever happened. I could try  to find out if this is all lost to the past.
> 
> Soloar energy  people working with photovoltaics have looked for good  
screening to  protect their cells, but all screens and nets, even chicken 
wire, block  significant sunlight. The finest effective screen an engineering  
friend  of mine found was made out of very fine chicken wire, and it blocked 
15% of  the light. I'm probably alone in this, but I believe that some 
people are  using nets that block enough sunlight to delay their grapes ripening 
by weeks.  I've seen nets that are blocking over 50% of the sunlight in many 
places  because of their folds.I'm trying to get the equipment available to 
measure  the blockage of different nets. It has to be done carefully. Of 
course there's  more to ripening than sunlight, but somehow I think 
photosynthesis is a  central element, and less photons mean slower ripening. Maybe out 
in the  literature there are some studies of this already. If anybody 
thinks this is a  good thing for me to pursue, let me know. 
> 
> Joe
>  
> On May 22, 2013, at 7:47 PM, Jim Adkisson wrote:
> 
>  > I have purchased recorded sounds of a dozen birds of prey that is  
supposed
> > to keep birds away. Claims that it is used at golf  courses, airports 
and for
> > crops. DOES NOT WORK. Happy to send  copy of WAV files for anyone 
interested.
> > Netting is your  salvation.
> > Jim Adkisson
> > Falcon Hill 
> >  
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:  vascm-bounces at kkn.net [mailto:vascm-bounces at kkn.net] On Behalf Of
> >  Candice Wozniak
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 6:25 PM
>  > To: Debbie Lehmann
> > Cc: VASCM at kkn.net
> > Subject:  Re: VASCM: Alternatives to netting for birds
> > 
> > I want  to try a computer operated sound/noise maker. Does anyone have 
one I
>  > can have or borrow?
> > I have a Rodenator available for anyone  to borrow.
> > -Candice Wozniak
> > 
> > On May 22,  2013, at 12:48 PM, Debbie Lehmann <debbie.lehmann at gmail.com>
>  > wrote:
> > 
> >> Has anybody used something other  than nets to control birds after
> > veraison?
> >> We  are thinking about experimenting this year with one of those sound
>  > boxes
> >> that puts out predatory bird calls, and maybe  using reflective tape as
> >> well. Does anybody have experience  with these? Do they work at all?
> >> 
> >>  Debbie
> >> 
> >> Portola Vineyards
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