Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection
Date of this Version
March 1990
Abstract
Bird deaths resulting from toxic materials in containment ponds are causing authorities to insist that action be taken to eliminate this hazard to avian wildlife. Bird control at containment pond sites is achieved by two well-known but poorly understood aversion techniques: hazing systems (sound/visual) and stretch wire. The limiting condition of either approach is that resident birds rapidly habituate while some migrating species are totally unaffected. Consequently, one must be able to accept degrees of control with an understanding of the behavior of the species involved. Birdproofing is achieved by covering an entire pond with bird net. This presentation discusses several aspects of bird netting including selection of net, with consideration of UV degradation, weather conditions and species, design of support systems, installation procedures, attachment techniques, abrasion limitations, and a brief summary of hanging and stretch-wire techniques.