July 14, 2008
The Birds, the Blueberries, the Blog --
An Update on the Propane Cannon Use in Whatcom County
Things are changing in Whatcom County and new solutions for our farmers are being talked about, and blogged. Creative Scarecrows has a new blog, straight from a local farm, called "Creative Alternatives to Cannons" at http://creativescarecrows.blogspot.com/ .
The blog is about the adventures in a blueberry field of the good guys, a researching resident and a farmer, trying to outsmart the villains--roaming flocks of starlings who want to gorge on the berries.
The blog is part of an ongoing effort by the group to research and promote noiseless bird control tactics in local blueberry fields. As berries begin to ripen, propane cannons frequently boom all day long for weeks to scare away birds. Not only do the extremely loud blasts of the cannons destroy the character of rural areas, they can become ineffective because birds can learn to ignore them.
Whatcom County officials have listened and responded very positively to these concerns. This spring a committee of Whatcom residents, blueberry growers, County Extension, and Whatcom Farm Friends met and finalized interim guidelines for good management practices for the use of propane cannons and other loud auditory devices (LADS) in blueberry fields. These interim guidelines define "current good management practices" which are protected under the Right to Farm Law (WCC 14.02). They can be viewed at Whatcom Farm Friends' website http://www.wcfarmfriends.com/go/doc/1579/203759/
At two public Creative Scarecrows meetings earlier this year, quiet alternatives such as jackkites, helikites, falcons, and kestrel falcon nest boxes were presented. More information about these techniques, and alternative tactics, are in a free booklet on bird deterrent techniques at their website www.creativescarecrows.org
The group formed in Whatcom County in 2007 to identify and promote quiet win-win bird control solutions to benefit berry farmers and their neighbors, and to build a community voice to encourage this direction. Residents can contact them at creativescarecrows@gmail.com
or call Lisa Neulicht, 360-220-9235. See their website, www.creativescarecrows.org by www.banthecannons.com for more information.
Suggestions for helpful actions the public can take will be posted there soon.
