27 replies to this topic

[Cavelamb]

Like Betty Davis said, "What a dump!".

Anything that actually works to keep birds out of the rigging?

I ran up a string of flags, which worked for exactly two days.

[WHL]

A selection of rubber snakes

[overbend]

Might work where you are but seabirds in NZ have never seen a snake, I am still hunting for a solution for this one.
Currently use a huge net over the boat, seems to keep most of them off.
It worked even better after one got stuck in it and died.
They didnt come back for a couple of months after that.

[Ishmael]

1. Monofilament strung from mast to shroud 2" above spreader.
2. Plastic owl hoisted on halyard close to masthead.
3. Sharp bird spike on masthead.
4. Herring on deck of derelict two docks over.

Edit: if you don't have an owl, other birds of prey will work.

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[Fleetwood]

I've tried snakes, filament line but only thing that works here is netting. Bit of a pain to install/remove but you get used to it; doesn't need to be pretty (has very low windage!)

[NonSequitur]

I've read somewhere that for approximately $30, a CO2 powered airsoft handgun may be purchased from Big 5 or similar sporting goods stores, that has a deterrent affect on the willingness of birds to hang out in an area that they may associate with painful, but non-lethal projectiles. I've read that someone who carries out a sustained (apparently easier as a live-aboard) and vigilant campaign against seagulls and starlings (DO NOT FUCK WITH CROWS AS THEY ARE VENGEFUL BASTARDS!!) may see a dramatic decrease in deck fouling bird shit for up to a year with very little need for ongoing negative stimuli. YRMV....
NS

[Bob Perry]

Inflatable doll, you know the kind.

[MoeAlfa]

A selection of rubber snakes

You left out the part about standing there and whipping them around during the hours you don't want birds crapping on your deck.

[Cavelamb]

I strung CDs up when across the lake at another marina several years ago.
Damn near broke my arm patting myself on the back.

But from watching these evil creatures I've come to understand they like altitude.
So in truth, I have to give at least a nod to the taller rigs I was docked between?

Inflatable doll, you know the kind.

Sorry? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Demonstrate?

[boomer]

Spend more time on the boat and bring a dog along if you have one, and let him pull guard duty on deck.

Check this thread out> http://forums.sailin...howtopic=139173

[Cavelamb]

Spend more time on the boat and bring a dog along if you have one, and let him pull guard duty on deck.

Check this thread out> http://forums.sailin...howtopic=139173

I don't have a dog, but I truly love the other suggestion!

[bmiller]

[Cavelamb]

I've tried snakes, filament line but only thing that works here is netting. Bit of a pain to install/remove but you get used to it; doesn't need to be pretty (has very low windage!)

Splain more?

What kind of netting and how installed?

[Bob Perry]

Cave:
Not sure about birds but one of my neighbors was having an otter problem and my wife suggested blow up dolls. She even bought the guy two of them but they werene't quiteb life size. They told my wife if she wanted life size she'd have to go to a sex toy store. The smaller blow up dolls have oversized heads so their heads are life sized. He put them inside his cockpit enclosure, looking out. He thinks they worked but I'm not sure he left his boat in the water long enough after that for it to be an accurate test.

One of my neighbors put a plastic owl on his boat, "All birds are afraid of owls" he said. The owl's head swivels once and a while. My other neighbor took a photo of his boat with a big Heron sitting right next to the owl. When a Heron relieves itself the mess can be quite impressive. I live in a Heron glide path zone.

[Innocent Bystander]

I'm OK with our herons. Beautiful birds and "ours" stay along the shoreline away from boats.

I object to the Canadians I have to chase away from my dock each spring to prevent them from becoming illegal immigrants. Migrating geese are great to see and hear. Squatters that want to take up residence need to head back north .

[3LeggedDog]

Get a trimaran.

On the Chesapeake Eastern Shore in Virginia, my dock is covered in crap, the gulls hang out on the pilings, but the F-27 is clean. I think they think it is a giant bird and are scared of it.

[Tucky]

I object to the Canadians I have to chase away from my dock each spring to prevent them from becoming illegal immigrants.

I've heard about folks from the south becoming illegal immigrants- the north, not so much.

Be careful how you approach the bird problem, just sayin'

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[MoeAlfa]

Are you kidding? That thing's a lightning magnet. Guy's gonna die.

[boomer]

Bird Xpeller

https://www.youtube....h?v=MMbpZUOSN7o

[Cavelamb]

Bird Xpeller

https://www.youtube....h?v=MMbpZUOSN7o

I couldn't make out what he was saying.
But the birds did fly away!


I saw these "Predator Eye" balloons all over Kemah (Galveston).
http://www.birdscare.../order-now.html
But the reviews at Amazon all said no, if there were a lot of birds.


At this point I'll try whatever the witch doctor suggests!

[bmiller]

Are you kidding? That thing's a lightning magnet. Guy's gonna die.

It's a wood/bamboo rake on a wood mast.

[MoeAlfa]

Are you kidding? That thing's a lightning magnet. Guy's gonna die.

It's a wood/bamboo rake on a wood mast.

Die, I tell you!

[boomer]

Bird Xpeller

https://www.youtube....h?v=MMbpZUOSN7o

I couldn't make out what he was saying.
But the birds did fly away!

Turn up the volume...

[Fleetwood]

Our local chandlery (Whitworths - Oz) sells bird netting, white stuff with about 1cm holes, seems UV stable as its lasted several years OK. Comes with red and green edges!
You could also use bird netting available from garden supply stores, its black tho'.

[Jose Carumba]

Call Kimb's Bagpipe Bird Blasters Inc. Guaranteed to scare birds, (and banshees) away for months! Act now and get his Bagpipe Barnacle Buster service for 1/2 price! Blasts baracles and weed growth in the water. No need to haul out! Attracts whales too! Not responsible for hearing loss, sudden divorces ,or damage caused by marauding Fast Attack submarines.

[Cavelamb]

Bird Xpeller

https://www.youtube....h?v=MMbpZUOSN7o

I couldn't make out what he was saying.
But the birds did fly away!

Turn up the volume...

My audio only has one setting - artillery.

No, it was the wind noise in the video.

[blackjenner]

Bird Xpeller

https://www.youtube....h?v=MMbpZUOSN7o

I couldn't make out what he was saying.
But the birds did fly away!

Turn up the volume...

The IKEA store in Tukwila (south of Seattle) uses this technique in their garages. As you walk through, you will hear a randomly repeated distress call from a few different species of bird. The place is pretty damn much bird free.

[unowho]

I saw this at the Boston Boat Show last February.
www.gullsgottago.com