Code of Practice

Auditory bird scarers have been used in agriculture and horticulture for many years as a method of reducing damage to crops.

Two main types are in use:

(i) explosive – which use propane gas or a cartridge to cause a loud explosion, and

(ii) amplified sirens or recorded distress calls.

Both types make a noise which is likely to be heard over a wide area, with the potential to cause disturbance to local residents. The explosive type give rise to the majority of complaints, and such complaints have undoubtedly increased with the use of bird scarers on a wider time scale, for the protection of crops such as oil seed rape. This note is directed mainly at the use of that type of scarer, although its principles are equally applicable to the other pattern.

Effectiveness of Scarers

All bird scarers work on the principle of producing distress stimulus which causes a bird to fly. Irrespective of the type of method repeated this will result in familiarity, and a reduced response which is termed habituation. It is therefore more effective to employ a selection of scaring devices to allow frequent substitution to avoid that possibility.

Use of Auditory Scarers – The Essentials

• Use non-audible scarers wherever possible
• Use other protection techniques where practicable eg netting, patrolling
• Use acoustic scarers, only when there is an actual risk of damage to crops
• Pay careful attention to siting of scarers – allow at least 200 metres from the nearest house
• Arrange to direct the sound from the scarers into the area to be protected, and away from houses, by using simple baffles such as straw bales
• Limit the number of scarers at a single location – allow at least 100 metres between scarers
• Control the frequency of explosions to a maximum of four firings per hour. Multiple firings from a multiple chamber gun count as 1 firing if heard within 30 seconds.
• Do not use auditory scarers between sunset and sunrise
• Do not mount explosive scarers at high level

Bird Scarers and the Law on Noise

There is no specific national legislation on the use of bird scarers, but we have a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to take action against a person who creates a noise nuisance. Failure to comply with a notice served under that Act may result in a prosecution, and the possibility of a heavy fine. An individual householder is also able to take their own action in respect of a noise nuisance.

Tailpiece

There has been considerable publicity recently on this issue, and there is likely to be mounting public pressure to place specific and possibly more onerous controls on this equipment. Failure to comply with the guidance contained in this note (which coincides with that adopted by the National Farmers Union in their own Code of Practice) will serve only to lend strength to the argument which favours a complete prohibition on the use of auditory bird scarers.