Getting rid of the birds

[Ex-SolentBoy]

A whole load of starlings have decided that my mast top is the place to be. No problem with birds generally, but it is blackberry season and the large purple splodges they are leaving everywhere are becoming a hazard.

Any ideas to get them to take up residence elsewhere? Spiky stuff wont work as the sit on lights, rigging etc, and a shotgun may damage my windex.

 

[markdj]

Can you not slingshot pigs at them? #angrybirds

 

[Silent Lady]

Bird of Prey

Fasten a pole to a halyard using tie wraps . You will need to extend the halyard down to deck level when you haul the pole up . This should sit above the lights arial etc . When your happy bring it down and fasten something like a bird of prey ( Plastic ) to the pole and hoist to the top or make a cross piece and hang some old cd's from then . .. Try not to loose the halyard . SWMBO is going up to get mine back at the weekend . Still don't know how I managed to loose it ..

 

[oldharry]

Local avians decided my boat was their favoured meeting place earlier this season. What a mess! I noticed a 'bird scarer hum line' in the local garden centre, so rigged some round the boat.

As soon as the wind is over about 5kts it vibrates and makes a buzzing noise which the birds dislike. At 20 knots its horrific. But it works, almost 100%. Instantly the boat has remained literally spotless the rest of the season. It needs to be rigged reasonably tight to work properly, and I rigged mine with some lightweight bungee so I could rig and demount it quickly, its not easy stuff to tie securely.

I say 'almost' because in light winds of 5kts or less it doesnt hum. But thats so rare the birds dont come visiting anyway, and my boat is clearly seen as 'off limits' by them.

It doesnt last forever - about 6 weeks, but for £3.50 you get quite a long reel of it.

And it doesnt upset the local birdwatchers!

Wonder if there is an underwater equivalent for barnacles, seahorses etc!

 

[Burnham Bob]

Here in the crouch there's an outbreak of plastic kite shaped like hawks......mainly on mobos with short stubby masts, but nothing to stop you haukling one up on a flag hayard......not sure where you get them but maybe google will help

 

[Twister_Ken]

Once saw a seagull perched on a plastic owl - they may be daft, but they ain't stupid.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Can you not slingshot pigs at them? #angrybirds

Yes, but if I do that do I get extra points if the mast falls down?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Fasten a pole to a halyard using tie wraps . You will need to extend the halyard down to deck level when you haul the pole up . This should sit above the lights arial etc . When your happy bring it down and fasten something like a bird of prey ( Plastic ) to the pole and hoist to the top or make a cross piece and hang some old cd's from then . .. Try not to loose the halyard . SWMBO is going up to get mine back at the weekend . Still don't know how I managed to loose it ..

Excellent idea. Do they have to be Barry Manilow CD's or is something else recommended?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

How about this then!!!!!

 

[lenseman]

. . . . . SWMBO is going up to get mine back at the weekend . Still don't know how I managed to loose it ..

Can't see how you think you have lost it when you know exactly where it is?

 

[Bav34]

Any ideas to get them to take up residence elsewhere? .

Cover your neighbours boats in whatever the birds like to eat

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Better still, kidnap the neighbours cat ( you know the one that keeps cra**ing in your veggie patch) and chain the thing to the mast head. Two birds with one stone! Or something like that

A few bits of thin nylon cord between windex arm and the VHF aerial etc to make it difficult for them to land

 

[duncan99210]

We had this problem before we left UK. We found the answer was one of daddi longlegs things - find them here http://www.gullstop.co.uk/daddi_long_legs.asp . If you were to use the idea of a pole on the halyard but mount the daddi longlegs on the pole rather than a plastic owl, it'd rise above the windex etc and would stop the damn things getting on to the masthead.

 

[Lakesailor]

 

[MoodySabre]

Here in the crouch there's an outbreak of plastic kite shaped like hawks......mainly on mobos with short stubby masts, but nothing to stop you haukling one up on a flag hayard......not sure where you get them but maybe google will help

I saw one in Bradwell the other day hung from the back stay - looked pretty scary Hawkkite

 

[Steve_N]

Starlings eh! - this happens every summer evening.
I guess this could be a 'whereisit' also:

 

[lumphammer]

And it doesnt upset the local birdwatchers!

Mind you the one on the boat next to us in the marina certainly upset us and the two other boat owners staying on board.

Needless to say it didn't last 6 weeks

 

[Leighb]

Starlings eh! - this happens every summer evening.
I guess this could be a 'whereisit' also:

Obviously no point in having a deterrent on the masthead. If all that lot have been eating elderberries/blackberries, yeeeuuck.

 

[VO5]

What about a big plastic snake ?
They frighten Ospreys, so I should imagine they can frighten other birds too and keep them away ?

 

[Lady Campanula]

Better still, kidnap the neighbours cat ( you know the one that keeps cra**ing in your veggie patch) and chain the thing to the mast head.

Sometimes I wonder about you, you 'strange particle', you!

So instead of the starlings crapping all over the boat, you advocate a load of cat krap all over the boat........

Sheesh!