Remember, bird ‘bangers’ are necessary but noisy, says NFUS

Arable farmers in Scotland this week moved to are explain to others living in rural areas that bird scaring devices – including the traditional “banger” – are a “noisy but necessary” evil at harvest time.

And growers have asked for some understanding and patience from those living and working near cropped areas as bird scaring devices are often required in the key final stages before harvest to protect crops from the predations of pigeons and rooks which can cause serious damage to crops.

NFU Scotland said that noisy scarers and deterrents were essential to protect many crops including barley, wheat, fruits and vegetables during the busy harvest season when valuable crops were at their most vulnerable.

The union also issued a reminder to farmers that in order to reduce the impact of deterrents on the public, and to ensure proper use, there were specific guidelines for farmers regarding the use of gas bangers.

“Farmers and growers are advised to ensure that their use is a last resort only, and are encouraged to consider other options such as visual deterrents,” said a the union’s legal and technical policy manager, Gemma Cooper.

When using such auditory deterrents, growers are asked to not use them between the hours of 10pm and 6am or 7am (depending on sunrise), to use reflective plates or baffling to concentrate the sound on to the field and away from neighbours and to try to refrain from using auditory scarers on Sundays.

“We would urge our members to ensure that they are compliant with the guidelines for use of gas bangers and that impact on those who live and work in surrounding areas is limited,” added Cooper.