Bird scarer – is it just birds they scare away?

Picture by geofones

Auditory bird scarers are devices used by farmers to protect their crops from bird attacks. However, the issue has been raised as to whether it’s just birds that find the noise a nuisance.

Scarers can range from propane powered gas guns (as seen to the right), which go off with a loud explosion in excess of 150 dB, to devices that imitate the ‘distress call’ of a bird or the call of  predators.

Bird scarers are not illegal and provided they are used within accepted guidelines little action against the farmer is possible. In an attempt to minimise the annoyance caused by the scarers, National Farmers Union has provided local authorities with guidelines that limit the use of scarers.

As well as this, new bird scarers have been brought in to use, supposedly only audible to the birds themselves. These ‘ultrasonic scarers’ are electronic devices that produce high pitch emissions ultrasound. The sound is designed to be too high pitched for people to hear. This has the advantage of preventing disturbance to neighbouring households. Yet, some still claim that this discomforting noise can be heard by people, children in particular.

If you’re troubled by a neighbouring bird scarer then contact your local council for information on what you can do.

Newark and Sherwood District Council will be using Noise Action Week 2010 to try and prevent and cut down on the disturbances caused by bird scarers.