Family Friendly Demonstration at Hard Row to Hoe on Saturday
Information compiled
The folks with Airstrike Bird Control will be at Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards on Saturday, October 19th from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. They will be discussing and demonstrating the use of falcons and hawks in protecting agricultural crops from pest birds. Winemaker Don Phelps (pictured above) indicated his fascination with falconry via Facebook, but said his vineyard isn’t large enough to justify the expense of a falconer for several weeks. He will have to content himself with this one-day demonstration.
About Falconry and Airstrike Bird Control, Inc.
Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. offers Falconry-based bird abatement for agriculture, landfills, resorts and other situations with pest bird problems.
At harvest time invading flocks of pest birds can decimate crops, especially grapes, blueberries and cherries. Falconry can scare off those pest birds much more effectively than man-made techniques such as shotguns, visual deterrents or noisemakers.
Falconry is highly regulated, both on the State and Federal level. Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. has a Federal Bird Abatement License and its falconers are licensed by the State of California. Airstrike Bird Control, Inc. operates primarily in the states of California, Oregon and Washington.
Falconry based bird control
Falconry is sustainable. It is a natural technique that is part of the balance of nature. It is chemical-free and non-polluting
Falconry works because pest birds are “hard-wired” to be terrified of Raptors – falcons and Hawks – which are their natural enemies. Pest birds never get acclimated to Raptors, while they will used to noisemakers such as propane cannons, shotguns, or recorded calls.
Falconry and Vineyards
Between operation and the end of harvest, grapes become a very attractive food for pest birds – particularly Sparrows and Starlings.
Initially the vineyard is explored by small flocks of scouting birds. If those birds like the fruit, and if there is no obvious danger, the entire flock will follow.
Pest birds can be scared off by noisemakers and visual deterrents, but this is temporary. The bird’s hunger will overrule any fear of non-dangerous deterrents after a short period of acclimation.
Falcons terrify pest birds, especially as Falcons represent real potential danger. Ideally Falcons should be flown a week or two prior to harvest in order to deter the scouting birds. Then Falcons should be flown daily, seven days a week during daylight hours, in order to deter the invading birds and reduce crop damage.
