dbrown@watarts.UUCP (D. Brown) (03/19/86)
Hi, I, or at least my Dad, has a really bad problem with them Grackles. You see we have a pool in our backyard that keeps getting bombed with Grackle wastes. The big ugly(they really are) things clean their nests in this way. They come low over a 4 foot fence between us and the neighbours and attempt to hit the edge of the pool from about a height of 3 feet on release. We have an old post sitting about 4 feet from the decking of the pool which is directly in their bomb run. I've thought of Chicken wire, but I don't think my Dad wants to do anything that will put holes in the grass or create a nuisance for mowing the lawn. Is their anybody out there who might know of something really creative? I and my dad would be much obliged. I was going to ask you to mail me any ideas, but why not post them? It creates conversation. Thanks in advance for any help. Sincerely yours, DAVE BROWN
agust@rruxc.UUCP (Agust K. G.) (03/20/86)
I don't know if this will work for Grackles but it is effective for pidgeons. Place a fake Owl in the path that the Grackle's take. Since the Owl is a Predetor most any bird will give it a wide berth. There are some draw backs. Don't expect to see any birds to come to a feeder with the fake owl by it. Also if you have crows in the area they will attack the fake Owl. Most agricultural supply houses or "real" hardware stores will have them. For our friends at BTL Holmdel you may have spotted the fake owls on the roof in the corners by the A/C units. These were placed there to keep the pidgeons from roosting up there. On a more pleasent note this past Sunday I spotted two Red Tailed Hawks mating in the corn field across the street from me. We have also had a Coopers Hawk stopping by our feeder since January. (haven't seen him catch anything yet, but did see him miss a chickadee once). Agust K. G.