The Birds!

[DIW]

Its that time of year again when those bl--dy Starlings congregate on the Masts and rigging of adjacent Yachts and crap all over yer boat. They appear to have been feasting on Blackberries or something similar as the crap is a delicate shade of mauve which stains the gelcoat instantly. Any ideas on how to remove this staining would be gratefully received ( Toothpaste doesn't work) and any ideas on removing the Starlings ( a 12 bore comes to mind but collateral damage to surrounding masts and rigging probably frowned on by raggies) would also be useful.
Ian

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[chris66]

No idea how to clean up but following the theory of prevention better than cure - my nautical neighbour has a plastic owl which he hoists up and there is next to zero droppings on his, or any boat near us.

Do you moor somewhere windy as i'm still trying to figure how birds on his mast crap on yr boat....

I'm about to post question on boat covers - maybe that would keep gelcoat clean

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris

 

[Forbsie]

Seaspray III tried the plastic owl trick.

Anyone wanna buy a plastic owl covered in bird crap?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/forbsie?&page=1>My Project</A>

 

[hlb]

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[DIW]

To answer your question Chris they crap all over my neighbours boats but crap on mine when they are on final approach to the adjacent masts and rigging and crap in unison in all directions when frightened crapless by the bird scarer!!!!
You can't win.
Ian

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[AuntyRinum]

I get them 30 at a time on the standing rigging. A short blast with the fog horn gets rid of them - they hate that. Doesn't help really though as they all crap in formation as they take off. Try not to get them over excited. Perhaps if I forget the fog horn and just try to keep them calm there'd be less mess on the deck. Maybe soothing music would help. Brighton Marina has lots of plastic owls and the starlings sneer at them. Ever seen a starling sneer?

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[Captain Coochie]

? quid that owl cost me
i found vidio tape tied around that net curtain elastic thing attached to eyes around the boat stopped most of them sitting on my boat(thats curtain eyes not birds eyes)
easy to attach and detach and doesnt get caught up like a net does
doesnt help with the fly past dropping but handy for the nesting probs


<hr width=100% size=1>Rowers ......Man in a boat ......Get the picture ?

 

[Will_M]

You should try berthing your boat where swans are resident...

Trust me you would welcome starling crap after a couple of swans have had a good crap all over the boat, the jettys and the bloody car come to think of it!!!

We must be some sort of a magnet for crap!

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