Cannons ‘the easy way out’
that decide to land among his berries. Scarecrows – an old farming standby for hundreds of years – are used in the same manner, although their efficacy varies. The most effective protection device is netting, which goes virtually unused by the commercial industry, as it is considered impractical for large farms and incompatible with machine-picking. A 2002 agriculture ministry document estimated the cost at nearly $3,000 per acre. TTT Birds are surprisingly smart. A 2009 study by Trinity Western University noted that while
From A1
Symbat Strek, a falconer who runs Spirit Falconry Service, is contracted to fly her falcons at the farm seven days a week. The predatory birds pose a threat to starlings, which choose to find their meals elsewhere. Strek has been contracted by the Geldermans for two years, and the family has been farming blueberries for seven. While they have never used propane cannons, Nathan said before the falcons they constantly monitored the fields and used ribbons, electronic squawkers on a timer, orchard pistols and constant monitoring. Now it’s much easier. The falcons have kept the skies clear of starlings, and Jerry said even neighbours have noticed the absence of birds. Jerry and Nathan agree that while falconry works for them, it may not be a viable option for all farmers, due to the expense of having a trained falconer visit daily. Jerry said it is important for people who buy blueberries to understand that while a quiet method of bird abatement may be preferable to cannons, “somebody has to pay for it.” He said that at Gelderman Farms, where they also process berries, they are able to achieve revenue that allows for the use of falcons. But if a farmer cannot get a sufficiently high return on berries, “that forces you to stay with the conventional methods, like cannons.” TTT Before they turn to blasting cannons or exTYLER OLSEN Abbotsford News pensive falconry, most farmers try a range of Arina Onnink, owner of Onnink’s Blueberry Farm, inspects blueberries. cheaper options to repel starlings and other berry-eating birds. visual and auditory deterrents both seem to work at first, birds The BC Ministry of Agriculture requires growers to try less disruptive measures to disturb birds before turning to, or increas- soon learn that they pose no actual risk of harm. Some farmers use kites meant to resemble hawks or other ing their use of, audible devices, which also include pistols and predatory birds, and according to the TWU study, those outperscreeching devices that mimic the sound of predators. formed control measures and auditory devices, including a propane cannon. The number of birds dropped immediately after the kite was installed, and more than tripled when it was removed. A propane cannon showed less dramatic results, and appeared to decrease in effectiveness as birds became accustomed to it. The research was a pilot study and the authors, led by professor Karen Steensma, cautioned against concluding too much from the results, citing their limited scope. However, the authors note that previous studies have also documented the ability of birds to become habituated to propane cannons. TTT On Downes Road, where blueberry fields commonly abut homes, Onnink’s Farm has built a reputation among anti-cannon residents for shunning the devices. TYLER OLSEN Abbotsford News Seven years ago, after experimenting with a The use of Mylar ribbons strung among blueberry bushes or high on poles is among alter- noisy screecher that imitates a bird’s call, Henk Onnink bought a pair of hawks to watch over natives to controversial propane cannons. his 30 acres of blueberries. Henk has since died, but his daughter Arina, who now runs the farm, says his hawks Among commonly used alternatives are ribbons of refleccontinue to keep away the birds that used to feast on the berries. tive tape or Mylar that can be seen hung along rows of berries “The hawks are very territorial. When a crow would come or around Abbotsford. The ribbons – or anything shiny – are beany starlings, they just chase them away,” she says. “Our berries lieved to dissuade birds from alighting nearby. The material is are not eaten by birds because the hawks are our bodyguards.” cheap – three 50-feet rolls of Bird-B-Gone ribbon costs around Onnink isn’t a fan of the propane cannons, calling them O $25 – and annoys only birds. However, farmers say the rib“the easy way out.” “ bon is also not overly effective. EO D I V “You just put a cannon in and that’s it,” she says. At his Matsqui farm, Hardeep Harry has strung Mylar E ONLwINs.com TTT tape intermittently from stakes. He says they seem to abbyne But some farmers are so besieged by birds that they say do little to keep birds off his berries, although they do no they the need every alternative available. harm either. The propane cannon he fires every 30 minutes is Gary Sandhar has been growing berries at his 40-acre Sumas more effective, he says. Prairie farm for seven years. Bracketed by dairy farms on either Nearby, Devinder Brar has strung ribbon at ground level and side, Sandhar found his bird problem escalating three or four from high poles. He says that while the ribbons annoy birds and discourage them from landing, they do little to discourage those
Some choices are hard.
Abbotsford News Wednesday, July 30, 2014
A5
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Continued on A7
Some are easy.
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