On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:17:59 GMT, Andrew >
wrote:

>
>>
>>
>
>Instead of netting perhaps a rigid cover such as chicken wire would be
>safer for the birds. You can also buy noise makers, hang streamers or a
>scarecrow. You might also use a scare decoy such as a plastic owl.
>

I have yet to use a net... Some years we have a problem with birds and
with racoons. Starllings, robins, bluejay, and even the woodpecker.

NOW I must tell you the story of the owl. Several years back my
dad bought me a plastic owl for my birthday. It stands about 8 inches
tall is battery operated with a motion sensor and says "who who"

Noticing the birds in the grapes I placed the owl on the grape line
post one evening and went to the Gazebo for dinner. Coming back
from dinner I could hear this owl hooting like crazy.. It was laying
on the ground hooting all by itself. Hmmm how did it fall off the
post. I put him back up on the post and he settled down to being
quiet. I went to the house and turned around just in time to see the
big paliated woodpecker come diving out from the trees above our place
directly on the owl. He knocked him off the post which set off the
sensor and the woodpecker proceded to attack the owl by pecking at it
like crazy. I was within 5 ft of this argument when the woodpecker
finely relented and flew off. The owl had peckermarks in it. I gave
up on this idea.

Last year we lost a lot of grapes to birds and racoons.. this year not
a one. It varies from year to year here. Next year I buy a net. Both
vinyards here use nets.

Marv
On Saltspring Island



>I'd like to try growing fruits for wines and am also worried about the
>birds eating the fruit.
>
>Andrew