Scaring Birds

[blush2]

What is the best way to stop the gulls landing on our boat and messing? The boat is a Nimbus 310 coupe we have just bought and have been allocated a mooring on the Dart which is problematic as far as seagulls are concerned.

When we had a mooring further down river it was wagtails in particular that were a problem on the sailing boat we used to have. Rubber snakes or hooting owls were not effective and CDs shattered when it blew hard. We had to resort to netting.

Do any of the whirly things work?

 

[Mileholm]

What is the best way to stop the gulls landing on our boat and messing? The boat is a Nimbus 310 coupe we have just bought and have been allocated a mooring on the Dart which is problematic as far as seagulls are concerned.

When we had a mooring further down river it was wagtails in particular that were a problem on the sailing boat we used to have. Rubber snakes or hooting owls were not effective and CDs shattered when it blew hard. We had to resort to netting.

Do any of the whirly things work?

I toyed with a few things on my mooring on Loch Lomond last year and what seemed to work best was a 3mm multicoloured line with old shiny CDs tied on every 2ft or so. Zig-zagged from starboard to port back and forth down the boat. Did take a minute to remove and drop into a locker on getting to the boat and maybe 3-4mins on ‘re-installing’ when leaving. But it worked 100% for the last 3 months of the season.

 

[wonkywinch]

I find Terence Trent Darby and Rick Astley CDs particularly effective.

 

[TK Blue MAX]

What ever you use, they get used to them, we have had the problem for years, only way seems to change the string of flags, humming string, CDs or whatever you try after a few months, its the young gulls that cause most problems, probably lack of fear of anything.

 

[blush2]

We've ordered some bunting and will see how we do. It's a bit difficult to attach it over the cockpit canopy which is what needs protecting most.

 

[RobbieW]

Congratulations, you did succumb this time You may find some tips here...
Protecting your crop – NFU bird scarers code of practice

Does it have a nice platform for the seals to kip on ?

 

[blush2]

Thanks Robbie. Yes, it does have a seal platform, not too big but the youngsters could probably use it. Round here they sunbathe on the larger mooring buoys.