The Scarecrow Compact bird dispersal system distributed by Martin Lishman emits distress calls recorded from pest species such as woodpigeons, carrion crows and rooks to create an environment that appears hostile to birds, but natural and inoffensive to humans.
The Scarecrow Compact has been specifically designed for use in farming and rural environments, although the technology started life as a bird deterrent used on airfields and landfill sites. It is completely portable, providing up to 360-degree coverage, and automatically plays distress calls of the selected pest species at random either from dawn to dusk or 24 hours/day, seven days/week.
The standard calls included are herring gull, rook, black headed gull, crow, starling and pigeon. Alternative distress calls from a library of more than 60 species can also be included.
The solar-powered Scarecrow Compact has a strong free-standing frame that can be located easily in any part of a field or in a hedgerow. It is unobtrusive and, because the sounds emitted are natural, it often goes unnoticed by the general public in the vicinity.
Although initially a higher investment, the solar-powered version is likely to pay back in just one season when compared with the value of potential crop losses to birds. An additional benefit of sustainable solar power energy is that there is no need for large batteries or gas bottles, though traditional mains and battery-powered versions are available.
Justin Stafford, who farms near Stamford, Lincolnshire, was very impressed with the performance of the Scarecrow Compact.
“We tried the crow sound in the wheat, and birds two miles away lifted and became agitated,” he said. “In the rape, the pigeon sound completely cleared 400 birds and they have stayed in the wood ever since. Even my neighbour’s rape was left alone.”
Made in the UK by Scarecrow Bio-Acoustic Systems, the Scarecrow Compact is available from Martin Lishman.
“Although many types of bird scarer exist, as an experienced ornithologist I feel there is something special about the Scarecrow Compact,” the company’s Gavin Lishman said. “The distress calls are totally genuine, which was wonderfully illustrated in our trials by crows responding to the call with the same sound.
“The disturbance generated among the crows and pigeons along the whole valley was quite something to see.”
For more information visit: www.martinlishman.com.
