My boat is very popular

Playtime

Playtime

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. . . with the starlings. :disgust:

Every year from the start of (meteorological) autumn vast numbers have their dusk 'social' in the rigging and deposit copious quantities of purple guano all over the deck and canvas. All efforts to keep them off my boat when I am not there have proved futile. The only thing that shifts them is a healthy wack on the back stay.

My question - what electromechanical device would the panel recommend that could (safely) twang the backstay at random intervals in the late afternoon when I'm not there. I could probably manage to make a suitable timing circuit for the 'electro' bit; it's the mechanical bit that I'm struggling with.

Any (sensible?) suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks
 
I guess whatever mechanism you come up with is probably going to involve a solenoid, as the best way to get a rapid twanging motion rather than a slower motorised movement.

Pete
 
I love the 'big bang' solution; clearly very effective. However, I don't think my live aboard next door (pontoon) neighbour would be too impressed.

Not sure about the Bird Barrier rotating mirror thingie. I expect the starlings would use it as a merry-go-round like they do with my wind instrument and Windex.

What I need is a pocket version of a boat hook bashing the back stay. Come on you mechanical geniuses (genii) - I need help here. :distress:
 
I had a similar problem last year with Sanderlings who h had chosen my boat to roost on. After 48 hours the Decks would be white with guano. It meant 1/2 hour work scrubbing it off to make it safe enough to walk on without slipping every time I went out. I never did find a solution. Never had it before on this mooring, though seen it on other boats in the channel. Sanderlings are cheeky. As you board they just shuffle round the other side hoping you wil go away. Any solutions gratefully received I guess by all of us who suffer this blight and damage.
 
You could try a small electric motor with a gear box with a small cam / arm that slowly rotates and trips the back stay.
 
See if you can arrange a meet for this lot http://britishfalconersclub.co.uk/New_Site/. Actually the use of birds of prey to control other birds is growing quite rapidly I think. It's used to discourage the gulls where I work and it seems to do the trick. What self-respecting Falcon would want to eat a seagull I can't imagine but presumably the gulls don't know that.
 
LittleSister said:
The birds find your taste in music repulsive? ;)
Click to expand...

Hahaha I expect so but in all seriousness had a massive problem at the yard where the boat is currently kept so much crap on the deck and I think as the CD's flash in the wind it scares the birds off and now don't get any which is just as well cause its time to apply new anti-slip. Will definately be putting a couple up there when she is on the water
 
My immediate thought was to adapt the mechanism from an old type of door-bell. Remove the bell and arrange in a way that the clapper hits the backstay instead of the bell.

doorbell-clapper-manufactum.jpg
 
I have also had a major problem with seagulls, the only present solution is to cover the boat with a fishing net. It does work, they go next door but takes time- before and after. The magnet story peaked my interest. Is it possible to use the boom as a soft magnet attached to a small solar panel to create the relevant magnetic field? I could also use the spinnaker pole to protect the bow area, just thinking outside the square!

Cheers from Sydney
 
Was visiting Lymington late august and had exactly the same problem. First whack of the mast and off they flew, same with the second whack. By the time I did the 3rd whack they had learnt that there were no serious consequences! Ended up tying a noisy plastic bag to the main halliard, which helped as a temporary measure.
 
Our new boat is covered in guano from seabirds so following with interest and have been reading around a bit.
CDs look worth trying. Allotmenteers use them. They lose their shine after a while but not a big deal to replace.
I was looking at windmills made from 2l fizz bottles - either with cups like an anemometer, or a vertical turbine. These would be somewhat reflective, at least when new (or wet). Also make it inaccurately so that it rattles & wobbles.
Another option is the shiny 'holographic' tape/wrapping paper -strips placed strategically to blow & crinkle in the wind. Again will lose its shine after a while, but cheap enough to replace.
A commercial product that caught my eye is the whirlybird - it combines the above characteristics. If my cheap options above don't work, I'll be considering one of these. They claim an endorsement from the us equivalent of Trinity House to keep their sea mark solar panels clear. I have no connection with this product, it ljust looks like it might work - for all types of bird.
 
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