The ability to lift pigeons off rape
crops up to 300 meters away and scare all the crows within sight were instant results
of farm trials of a new bird dispersal system, carried out by distributors
Martin Lishman.
Birds are a major cause of damage to
crops. Preventing this can be difficult and time consuming, and failure to do
so can be expensive, so Scarecrow Bio-Acoustic Systems have introduced a new
system called Bird Instinctive Reactive Dispersal (B.I.R.D.). With previous
models proven to be a valuable tool for famers, the new B.I.R.D. system offers
the latest refinement of bird deterrent technology, increased dependability and
further options to expand the system.
The Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System works
on the principle of broadcasting digitally cleansed natural bird distress calls
through three channels of loudspeakers. The system creates an environment which
is hostile to birds, but at the same time is humane and inoffensive. The
distress calls are played at natural sound levels which the birds are affected
by but they are not intrusive and often remain unnoticed in places where the
public is present, which in turn opens up a wider range of placement options.
Ten of the most commonly used
distress calls from the Scarecrow library have been pre-loaded into the B.I.R.D.
system. Calls recorded from pest species such as Pigeons, Crows and Rooks are
on hand and ready when needed; additional pest species include Starlings and
two Goose calls. The user simply programs the calls required to tackle the
problem, and the fully automatic random play system continues to work without
human intervention. The new B.I.R.D. system comes with two additional operating
modes to ensure all the birds are removed. “Re-Enforce” mode is used for more
stubborn birds and “Severe” mode is used to tackle situations when birds have
become comfortable at the site for an extended period of time. All modes can be
set to randomise 24/7 or utilise the built-in or remote light sensitivity
sensor for ‘Dusk to Dawn’ operation. The system is controlled with a user
friendly control panel which can be electronically locked to prevent tampering
with the system.
The new B.I.R.D. system offers a much
more flexible product. The main console is now a self-contained unit to which
components such as the loudspeakers, light sensitivity sensor and power supply
from either a leisure battery, mains or solar panel are connected. This
separate component layout is beneficial in helping meet different location and
mounting options, with the added ability to extend the system by adding up to
30 loudspeakers to accommodate larger premises and ensure all-round coverage.
All components and electrical connections are fully IP rated to ensure they can
withstand the harshest of weather conditions.
Justin Stafford, who farms at Little
Bytham, near Stamford, Lincs, was very impressed with the performance of the new
B.I.R.D. system. “In the rape, the pigeon sound completely cleared 400 birds
and they have stayed in the wood ever since. You can see a clear difference
between my field and my neighbour’s field which the B.I.R.D. system does not
cover.”
The new B.I.R.D. system will be distributed
by Martin Lishman and can be viewed on their stand at CropTec 2016, Stand A12.
CropTec 2016
We also have over 140 exhibitors at the event displaying the latest science and technology across the trade stands, while CropTec’s well established seminars and hubs will feature the latest thinking on a range of key arable topics delivered by leading specialists.
The event is free to attend for those visitors that pre-book their tickets. ALL visitors will be charged £15 on the day.
