At Mumana Vineyards, we cherish our connection to the natural world, but protecting our grapes from birds poses a challenge that requires thoughtful intervention. In Falmouth, near the Avon River, we contend with species like starlings, robins, and cedar waxwings, all of which have a keen appetite for our fruit. To preserve our harvest, we’ve implemented specific strategies, though not without mixed feelings and concerns from our neighbours.
Audio Deterrents: Wailers and Cannons
One of our primary methods for managing birds is the use of audio deterrents. We employ wailers that mimic the sounds of birds of prey, creating an environment where smaller birds feel threatened. These wailers are complemented by cannons that produce loud bangs at random intervals. The unpredictability of these sounds is crucial; if the birds can’t anticipate when the noises will occur, they are less likely to become accustomed to them and start ignoring them.
While we understand that these noises can be disruptive, especially to our neighbours, we want to emphasize that they are essential to protecting our vineyard. Birds can cause significant damage to the grapes, potentially ruining an entire season’s harvest. We’ve carefully chosen these deterrents as they are effective and, importantly, non-lethal. Unlike some more destructive methods, such as poisoning or shooting the birds, our approach aims to scare the birds away without causing them harm.
Netting: A Physical Barrier
In addition to audio deterrents, we’ve installed netting over our vines. This serves as a physical barrier, preventing birds and other animals, like raccoons, from reaching the grapes. Netting is a highly effective method of protection, and while it requires careful installation and monitoring, it allows us to shield our crops without resorting to more aggressive measures.
Dogs in the Vineyard: A Natural Deterrent
Our dogs play a vital role in our bird management strategy as well. They accompany us in the vineyard, chasing after birds and deterring them from settling in the vines. The presence of our dogs and their scent further discourages birds from lingering, adding an additional layer of natural protection to our grapes. Plus, it’s a method that keeps us in close connection with our land, working alongside our canine companions.
Exploring Natural Predators: Attracting Eagles
We’re also exploring the idea of attracting natural predators, such as eagles, to the vineyard. Eagles are natural deterrents for smaller birds, and encouraging them to nest in our area could provide a more harmonious solution to our bird problem. This approach aligns with our commitment to sustainability and our desire to work with nature, rather than against it.
Balancing the Needs of the Vineyard and the Community
We are aware that our methods, particularly the noise from the wailers and cannons, have caused concern among some of our neighbours. We want to assure everyone that we’ve considered various options and have chosen these methods because they strike the best balance between effectiveness and environmental responsibility. The alternatives—such as lethal measures or the use of harmful chemicals—would be far more disruptive and less aligned with our values.
We’re always open to discussing our practices and finding ways to minimize their impact on our community while still protecting the vineyard. Our ultimate goal is to coexist peacefully with both the wildlife and our neighbours, ensuring that Mumana Vineyards can continue to produce exceptional grapes that reflect the unique terroir of our region.
Share Your Thoughts
We invite you to share your thoughts on our bird management strategies and any alternatives you believe could be effective. We value the input of our community and are always looking for ways to improve our practices while maintaining the integrity of our vineyard. Please feel free to reach out to us with your ideas or concerns.