New Weapon For Battling Pest Birds

New Weapon For Battling Pest Birds FARM HOME Toys/Games 5-1-16 Kites that look like soaring hawks with 4-ft. wingspans kept blackbirds from damaging sunflower fields in North Dakota during the past growing season. It's believed that the device will also work to keep blackbirds, starlings and other problem birds away from livestock feedlots. The hawk kite idea, invented in Washington state and used extensively to keep birds out of grape vineyards in California, is a hawk imprinted onto clear plastic and suspended from a higher-flying, helium-filled weather balloon. The balloon keeps the kite suspended and soaring in wind currents high above the ground. "All birds are naturally afraid of hawks," explains E. B. Aicher of AAA Industries, Oregon City, Ore. The company sells the kite and balloon units. "A hawk will attack almost any bird, and birds will make a wide flight around a hawk - or a hawk kite!" Inventor of the idea is Bob Fay, Washington State University horticulturist. He reports that a real hawk once attacked a hawk kite at the WSU Research Center. "Birds are kings of their territories and apparently the kite had invaded a local hawk's realm," says Fay. Last year, Chuck Ballantyne, of Westhope, N. Dak., used hawk kites to keep blackbirds from damaging a 160 acre field of sunflowers. The field, located close to a wildlife refuge, has always had problems with blackbirds. Ballantyne has tried other methods of bird control, including several types of scare guns, but wasn't satisfied with results. He flew four kites over the 160 acre field. The kites were 50 to 75 ft. high with helium-filled weather balloons another 25 ft. above the kites to hold them up. The kites were used for two weeks. "The secret is getting them up early and keeping them up long enough," Ballantyne told FARM SHOW. He reports that each hawk kite effectively controlled blackbirds in an area similar to the area controlled by a scare gun. "The only problem was that the balloons would lose helium, making it necessary to pump them up every two or three days. I carried a helium bottle to the field in my pickup. Also, the large balloons, 6 ft. or so in diameter, are hard to handle in a strong wind," says Ballantyne. He's in the process of developing a balloon which is shaped like a hawk and has a hawk imprinted right on the balloon. He hopes to have his hawk balloons in production and on the market early this year. Aicher of AAA Industries feels the "hawk balloon" idea won't work as well as kites because "it probably wouldn't fly level like a hawk, and wouldn't look realistic." He notes that his company's hawk kites are imprinted above and below to look like the top and bottom of a hawk. A problem in the past has been that the helium would eat through and destroy the balloons. Now, a new polyurethane balloon is being used, preventing the problem. It can be patched and lasts for more than one season. Cost of the hawk kite, including kite, balloon, instructions, and a harness to attach the kite to the balloon cord, is $59.95, including shipping costs to anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. For more information on the hawk kites, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, AAA Industries, Inn., P.O. Box 785, Oregon City, Ore. 97045 (ph 659-2363). or more information on the hawk baloons, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Chuck Ballantyne, 807 20th St., N.W., Minot, N. Dak. 58701 (ph 701838-5321).

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