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Avoiding Noise Nuisance

Guidance for farmers on the use of bird scarers

With thanks to the National Farmers Union for permission to include their Code of Practice

on the use of bird scarers

Avoiding Noise Nuisance - Guidance for farmers on the use of bird scarers

Bird scarers are commonly used to protect crops from damage by wild birds. The Council receives numerous complaints about noise disturbance arising from audible bird scarers, usually gas powered units. In order to maintain good relations between the farming community and residents , toleration is encouraged, both from residents who often do not appreciate the need to minimise damage to crops, and from farmers who are encouraged to keep disturbance to reasonable levels. The National Farmers Union, in consultation with their members has addressed this in their code of practice on the use of bird scarers, a copy of which is attached to this note. This code is considered to be indicative of best practice, whether or not you are an NFU member, and the Council would encourage you to follow the guidance contained in it. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is keen to encourage the considerate use of bird scarers. Alternatives to gas powered units and other noisy methods for use close to residential areas and other sensitive locations are recommended. There are several practical alternatives available which are suitable for use on arable farms, although of course no guarantee of their effectiveness can be given or implied. There is little scientific study into the effectiveness of bird deterrents, but the following devices could be useful in addition to or as an alternative to gas canons.

Rotating mirrored pyramid, powered from a carbattery or the wind, depending upon the model.It reflects light at the birds’ angle of approachand the flash of light startles the birds anddeters them from the crop Photo courtesy of Peaceful Pyramids Birdscarers, www.birdscarers.co.uk

Wind driven rotating vanes, possiblyincorporating a hammer mechanism togenerate a noise as the vanes rotate. Thestrobing effect of the vanes as they rotatedisorientates birds. Photo of Scairoff birdscarer courtesy of Grainbox Agricultural Supplies, www.grainbox.co.uk

Wind powered revolving human figures orreflectors with painted on eyes mimichuman activity or a predator Photo courtesy of Scaringbirds.com Ltd, www.scaringbirds.com 01584 711701

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Helium filled balloons can cover a largearea. Particularly if brightly painted with apair of eyes, can be associated with apredatory bird. (The Air Navigation Order1980 forbids the flying of kites or balloons at morethan 60 metres above the ground, or at any heightwithin 5km of an aerodrome without the permissionof the Civil Aviation Authority) Photo courtesy of Allsopp Helikites Ltd, allsopp@helikites.com

nflatable scarecrow, powered from a carattery, mimics human activity, and is moreffective if there is a noise associated with itsnflation (a screech or wail may be lessntrusive than the impact noise of a gasanon, but be careful not to cause a noiseuisance!)

hoto of ‘Scarey man®’ courtesy of Clarratts Ltd 1480 476376, http://www.clarratts.com

Realistic models of wood pigeons with outstretched wings placed on the ground showing the white markings have been shown to be effective as a pigeon deterrent

How bird scarers work Birds react to unfamiliar objects and noise associated with danger. However, birds soon become acclimatised and all the methods soon lose their effectiveness, and the key to effective bird scaring is to maintain the element of surprise. For this reason it is most effective to restrict the use of deterrents to the time when the crop is at its most vulnerable. The effectiveness of each method varies between bird species, and studies have shown that birds will become habituated relatively quickly, particularly if there is no actual threat associated with the device. Birds are thought to build up a mental picture of their surroundings which leads them to expect certain things in specific places. Motionless devices provide short term protection as the threat is perceived rather than real. To maximise effect, the devices should appear lifelike, be highly visible and their location should be changed frequently to delay habituation. It is therefore most effective to vary the type of deterrent, combine with other methods, move their locations regularly and also to ensure a degree of human activity on the fields every day, possibly associated with shooting to scare rather than specifically to kill. (Birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to shoot some species unless licenced to do so). Once a scarer has lost its effectiveness it is important to remove it, as it is possible that birds will associate its presence with a good feeding area.

……………………………………………… Your legal obligations to minimise noise The East Riding of Yorkshire Council, in common with all local authorities, is obliged by law to investigate all complaints about noise from bird scarers. If the complaint is considered to be justified, and the noise is unreasonable in terms of loudness and / or timing, a statutory nuisance could exist. In such cases an investigating officer of the Council will contact the farmer concerned and advise of the complaint. It would be expected that remedial action will be taken to reduce disturbance, but if no action is taken the Council can serve an abatement notice under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to require remedial action. The penalty for non-compliance with an abatement notice can be a large fine imposed by a Magistrates’ Court. By following the advice in this note and the Code of Practice, you will reduce the chance of causing disturbance to neighbours and formal action by the Council. ………………………………………………. If you wish to discuss noise nuisance further with an Environmental Health Officer, please do not hesitate to contact the East Riding of Yorkshire Council at its offices in Beverley, Bridlington and Goole. All officers can be contacted on 01482 887700, or by email if you know the officer’s name on forename.surname@eastriding.gov.uk. You can also contact us on the Council’s website at www.eastriding.gov.uk.

CODE OF PRACTICE

NFU BIRD SCARERS CODE

Bird scarers and bird deterrents are essential to protect many crops including oilseed rape, fruit and field vegetables from damage by wild birds. However, if used thoughtlessly they can seriously annoy and disturb the public, thus fuelling the pressure for strict legal controls or a ban on their use. Just a few inconsiderate actions could threaten the ability of all growers to protect their crops in future. So please follow this code, which is designed to minimise public aggravation whilst allowing effective crop protection.

Types of scarer

Auditory: these may imitate the sound of gunfire, use sirens or a constanthum, or mimic the distress call of a bird.

Visual: these rely on the birds' fear of humans, other predatory birds and ofsudden movements.

Some scarers and deterrents combine sound and visual stimuli.

Auditory scarer

Reducing the need for scarers  

It may be possible to reduce the need for scarers and increase the effectiveness of those used by:

• Planting (where your crop rotation allows) crops vulnerable to bird damage next to roads or in other locations where the birds will be disturbed.

• Alternatively, when planning new areas of valuable crops (particularly orchards or soft fruit areas), try and locate them as far away from buildings where people sleep or where quiet is important, so that if it is necessary to resort to the use of auditory scarers their impact will be minimised.

• Growing small­scale crops under netting. Fencing or electrified netting can protect crops near watercourses from swans and geese. Strings or tape suspended roughly 50 metres apart may prevent waterfowl flying into crops.

Choosing scarers

• Use as many different types of effective scarers as you can; visual, auditory and repellants can all have a role to play. Birds quickly get used to scarers, so it’s a good idea to use a variety of scarers to maintain their novelty.

• Consider the intended location; for example, are there sensitive locations nearby? Use auditory scarers as a last resort after trying alternatives. Never use noisy scarers near buildings where people sleep or where quiet is important. Do not site scarers prone to theft where they can be easily stolen.

Using timed auditory scarers

• As soon as an auditory scarer loses effectiveness, replace it with another or a different type; otherwise it could signal a good feeding area.

• Use auditory scarers only when their use can be justified.

• Think carefully about the use of propane gas guns. Inconsiderate use may lead to complaints and you may have to appear in court.

• Do not fire them more than four times in any hour (remember to consider situations where several guns protect a single field). Birds can take much more than 15 minutes to regroup. If the intervals are too short, the birds will quickly get used to the scarer. All the reports from a multiple discharge gun should count as one report if heard within 30 seconds.

• Never use auditory scarers before sunrise or after sunset.

• Liaise with neighbouring farmers to ensure that, between you, you do not cause a nuisance.

Avoid causing a nuisance

Where it is practical to do so, you should seek to minimise the impact of auditory scarers, on your neighbours and consider alternative means of scaring birds. Below are some steps you can take to act responsibly:

• When they are in use, the disturbance of scarers on nearby hospitals, homes or schools should be minimised. For example, place the scarers as far away as practicable, align them to point away from neighbours, and use baffles.

• Avoid using auditory scarers within at least 200 metres (220 yards) of sensitive buildings before 7.00am, or before 6.00am elsewhere, when sunrise is earlier. Use another method in the early morning and do not use after 10.00pm when sunset is later.

• Take account of the prevailing wind when siting scarers. Remember that noise travels much further downwind.

• Where mechanical timers are used, ensure that they are regularly re­set to take account of continuous changes in sunrise and sunset times.

• Where a photoelectric cell controls the guns' operation, ensure that this is kept clean and free from obstruction. Preferably, ensure that a mechanical timer backs up a photoelectric switch.

• Use reflective or absorbent baffles (of say corrugated iron or straw bales) to concentrate the sound on to your field and away from neighbours wherever nuisance could be caused. These can be very effective in reducing noise levels in the required direction.

Suggested layout of baffles for auditory scarer

Auditory scarer with baffles   

• Try not to use auditory scarers on Sundays. Try another type of scarer instead.

• Ensure that your neighbours have the name of a responsible person to contact if the control on a scarer fails. Also display the name and telephone number at the nearest point of public access or inform the local Environmental Health Department where the scarer is located and give them contact details of the person responsible.

• Ensure that scarers are properly maintained and checked regularly to detect any malfunctions that could cause complaints.

Positioning

• Place scarers as far apart as possible so that their combined effect does not cause a nuisance, taking account of the lie of the land, atmospheric conditions and plant cover.

• Position scarers so that they are pointing down­wind (where nuisance is not a problem) – even a slight wind can affect the distance sound travels – and take particular care with devices that swivel with the wind.

• Prolong the effectiveness of scarers by hiding them – but not where there could be a risk of fire.

Increasing effectiveness

• Reinforce the effects of the scarer by shooting, so that the noise is associated with real danger.

• Try placing a scarer inside a brightly­coloured container and place several similar, but empty containers in the field. Occasionally move the scarer from one container to another.

Using scarers of all types 

• Use scarers as infrequently as possible. Determine when the crop is most vulnerable and only use scarers then. However, if geese are seen near a crop, scarers should be positioned immediately.

• Prolong the effectiveness of a scarer by varying the type and positioning of scarers.

Scarers and rights of way

Scarers are intended to frighten birds, not visitors to the countryside. Try to avoid surprising passers­by.

• Try to avoid positioning auditory scarers adjacent to rights of way. Consider warning users of their presence.

• Remember that horses are easily frightened and can bolt or unseat their riders. Do not position the scarers near roads or bridleways usually used by riders.

Look to lessen the potential danger by taking these safety precautions:

• Maximise the distance between the scarer and the road or bridleway.

• Point the scarer away from nearby roads or bridleways.

• Where appropriate use a baffle (as illustrated earlier in this leaflet).

• Consider erecting temporary signs to warn riders. Don't forget to remove these after use.

Relevant Legal Controls

The Firearms Act 1968 requires a firearms certificate to be obtained if bird scaring cartridges are used.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 includes powers to deal with nuisance from auditory bird scarers. These have been used successfully to stop offending farmers using such scarers.

The Air Navigation Order 1980 requires the consent of the Civil Aviation Authority to fly kites or balloons (visual scarers) above 60 metres (200 feet).

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects wild birds. General licences are issued by DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) which allow authorised persons (including owners and occupiers of land and their representatives) to take and kill certain species regarded as "pest birds". Some other species can only be killed under a licence issued by DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). Scarers likely to injure wild birds are prohibited.

Further information

For more advice call NFU Callfirst 0n 0870 845 8458.