Bird scarers cause confusion for Waihī residents, council proposes guidelines

In the Hauraki District the use of such devices in a rural area is considered to be a normal rural activity exempt from noise regulations. No consideration is given to the problems that may arise from the use of bird scarers and the Council has no guidelines on bird scarers for the benefit of users of such devices, local residents and council officers.

There are no rules or guidelines regarding how often a gas weapon used for deterrent purposes can fire.

A report to the council shows that there are not a large number of orchards in the region, but this situation may change.

A variety of bird deterrent devices could be used, including but not limited to gas guns (the use of which has been the subject of complaints to the council), bird alarms, firearms and high-frequency noisemakers (similar to bird calls).

Cost may be a reason why growers choose one type of equipment over another, the report said.

Council was recommended to adopt guidelines on bird deterrent devices after consultation with the community.

The draft guidelines state that bird scarers may be necessary to protect some crops, but if used carelessly they can cause serious annoyance and disturbance to the public.

“It only takes a few ill-advised actions to jeopardize the ability of all growers to protect their crops in the future.”

Some of the options in the guidelines that could reduce the need for bird scarers and increase the effectiveness of the scarers used included planting crops susceptible to bird damage near roads or other areas where birds would be disturbed. Growers could also provide alternative feeding areas for birds by planting thin, narrow strips of “sacrificial” crops to reduce pressure on the main crop. Small-scale crops could be grown under netting or bird sprays could be used to make larger fruits unpalatable to birds. Good housekeeping practices could reduce the amount of food available to the bird population, for example, not allowing fruit to rot on the ground and using pigs or chickens for the final clean-up.

It was recommended to use bird scarers as infrequently as possible, and to identify when the crop is most vulnerable to attacks and use scarers only then.

It was recommended that at each point of the theoretical boundary of each residential building located in a rural area a noise limit of 65 dBA SEL should apply.

The device may only be used from sunrise to sunset, but not before 6 a.m. if sunrise occurs before that time.

It also recommended that each device should operate no more than four times in any 60-minute period and should only be used when there is a risk of crop damage by birds.

Devices should not be operated unless clear and clearly marked on the route to the place where they are to be used.

There should be only one device for every 10 ha of crops.

The Natural Resources Management Act provided councils with a number of mechanisms through which council officers or police could enter properties and take steps to reduce noise, the draft guidelines read.

Police could seize and confiscate the source of the noise, and the council could take legal action. Those convicted could be fined up to $10,000, and if the noise continues, up to $1,000 a day.

The council will meet on Monday to discuss the issue.