Thankyou for your enquiry concerning using the Hawk Bird Scarer in vineyards. You will be interested to know that this simple device wa s originally invented to scare seagulls and cormorants (shags) off boats, yachts and wharves in Sydney Harbour.
Being so successful it was quickly tried in many other situations including birds attacking grapes in vineyards. In most situations these hawks will work provided the birds can see the Hawk profile above them as they swoop into the vines. However it is only the perimeter of the crops that you need to protect. Furthermore, it is usually only one or two sides of the crop that the birds will attack. They usually attack from a hedge, or row of trees or in the case of Starlings they can come from power lines which may be close to the crop. Usually the best way to scare birds away from grapes is to stop them entering the vineyard rather than trying to scare them out of the crop.
There are two methods of doing this in vineyards using Hawks.
1)Pipe Method. Most vineyards in Australia simply mount their Hawks on tall pipes. They then stand the pipe with the Hawk on top lashing it to a strainer post on the perimeter of the vineyard. Face the head of the Hawk out of the crop towards where the birds are coming from. This will stop the birds from flying into the actual vines.
It has also been my experience with vineyards that birds usually attack from one side of the vineyard. They then work their way in row by row. So, by protecting that side you can often safeguard the entire crop. If you use one standard length of pipe, 6 metres, you will need to space one Hawk every 100 metres along the edge of the crop. If you increase the length of your pipe to 12 metres you can space your hawks one every 200 metres along the boundary. This pipe method is very good where crop protection is required over a long period of time.
2) Using a Helium balloon. An alternative method of installing your Hawks is to suspend your Hawk under a Helium Balloon and tether the balloon at the edge of the crop allowing it to ascend to 50 metres. The hawk will be tied off underneath the balloon some 4 metres below the balloon. Using this method you only need one Hawk every half kilometre of crop. Each balloon inflates to a diameter of approx 1.5 metres.
The Hawk is unique because it is a full size imitation hawk made of durable weatherproof plastic. As birds instinctively fear the Hawk they are also scared to come within sight of the profile of this replica hovering Hawk. Your Hawks will scare all of the common birds that attack grapes. In Australia these are, Starlings, Crows, Silver Eyes, Indian Mynahs, Leatherheads and Parrots. From previous customer experience in similar situations we can say that a Hawk Bird Scarer will work for you. If it doesn’t, we offer you a money-back guarantee on each Hawk you purchase. You have everything to gain by ordering now.
You may need a number of Hawks to solve your bird problems. We are prepared to supply carton lots of 10 Hawks at the wholesale price. Contact Tisara Australia to arrange this. Air freight would be additional.
