Getting rid of vermin

'scorthy

No, it's not a thread about fellow golfers...but something I'm sure most clubs have had to deal with. A humane way to stop vermin like Rooks, Crows, Magpies etc..from nesting in trees above teeboxes and stop them from digging up the greens.
There was one tree in on our course particular that was singled out for demolition but it has got a deprive (attached).

stumpypeeps

I work as a greenkeeper and we have similar problems. If only their was some way to scare the crows, however, not such product exists.

billy3sheets

A few suggestions:

1. Try this?
2. Ask your players to move more quickly & make lots of noise?
3. Get members to carry one of these in their bag?

stockdam

Aren't birds meant to nest in trees? That's the way things are so what's the problem?

irishtoffee

I have no idea if this is on the same lines but what is the reason for hanging the dead birds from the trees at Mount Wolseley?

Daithio9

'scorthy wrote: »

No, it's not a thread about fellow golfers...but something I'm sure most clubs have had to deal with. A humane way to stop vermin like Rooks, Crows, Magpies etc..from nesting in trees above teeboxes and stop them from digging up the greens.
There was one tree in on our course particular that was singled out for demolition but it has got a deprive (attached).

This is very easily dealt with and to even consider destroying a fantastic mature pine tree is completely nuts.
Firstly the birds only root and dig up greens, tees and fairways in an effort to find food, namely grubs and this can be easily treated with a pesticide to kill the grubs i.e the pesticide does not kill the birds it treats the grubs and no grubs= no birds rooting/digging for them.
Secondly remove the nests, to remove the nests hire a professional such as a tree surgeon who is more than competent in tree climbing and has the correct tree climbing gear and is insured, then get him to destroy/remove the nest and afterwards simply monitor the trees that you don't want birds nesting in and if they return then you'll have to repeat the process again, eventually the birds will find somwhere else to nest and won't return.
In summary if you remove the food source and remove the nests then you won't have a problem and there will be no need to even consider drastic over the top unnecssary action like destroying a perfectly healthy mature and aesthetically pleasing tree.

f22

Those birds are clever little buggers, always one step ahead.

BigAl>>

stumpypeeps wrote: »

I work as a greenkeeper and we have similar problems. If only their was some way to scare the crows, however, not such product exists.

I find this approach works well!:D



Hit them at the right time and you will see a huge difference throughout the rest of the year.

Whoops! Just realised tht you said "scare" Am sure they would be scared with the sight their friends chest eploding b4 falling to the ground ....lol

soundsham

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits",

nin2010

My mate hit a bad shot one day and threw his 7 iron around 30 feet at a nearby crow thinking the crow would just fly off or he would miss when in fact the crow stood and watched the heavy end of the club smash his spine to smithereens. It was sad and funny at the same time...

He still gets a bit upset when I slag him off about it.

IITYWYBMAD

The Wildlife bill will prevent you from killing or interfering with any wildlife. This means the birds and thier nests. You cannot legally interfere with any aspect of thier immediate environment without serious legal implications. Anybody who tells you different is talking out of thier hole.

There were also additions to this act, from Europe, and the legislation is crystal clear, so do not touch their nests. Any licensed Tree Surgeon would have as much interest in removing thier nests as he/she would in removing a cat stuck in a tree.

Your golf club can apply for a licence to the Dept of Environment as under certain derogations built into the law there are exceptions where certain wild bird species covered by the declaration are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety can be controlled. How you implement these measures are stictly controlled.

My advice would be to contact the Dept of Environment in regards of this, and they will give you the best legal advice.

Par72

irishtoffee wrote: »

I have no idea if this is on the same lines but what is the reason for hanging the dead birds from the trees at Mount Wolseley?

They tried that on my home course too. The hooded crows seemed to be the ones they were trying to get rid of. Don't think it worked though and can't imagine how it could work.

'scorthy

The last time I play Mt Wolseley they have dead birds strapped to certain greens beneath a thin mesh. Didn't look pretty....I should have taken a free drop when they were in my putting line .

billy3sheets

You could hire a real hawk or buy a decoy one?
http://www.birdstop.co.uk/visual_deterrents.asp

CJhaughey

IITYWYBMAD wrote: »

The Wildlife bill will prevent you from killing or interfering with any wildlife. This means the birds and thier nests. You cannot legally interfere with any aspect of thier immediate environment without serious legal implications. Anybody who tells you different is talking out of thier hole.

There were also additions to this act, from Europe, and the legislation is crystal clear, so do not touch their nests. Any licensed Tree Surgeon would have as much interest in removing thier nests as he/she would in removing a cat stuck in a tree.

Your golf club can apply for a licence to the Dept of Environment as under certain derogations built into the law there are exceptions where certain wild bird species covered by the declaration are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety can be controlled. How you implement these measures are stictly controlled.

My advice would be to contact the Dept of Environment in regards of this, and they will give you the best legal advice.

The NPWS has a derogation from Europe for the killing of Corvids and pigeons that are causing serious damage.LINK
This is the link and is current till the end of April 2010.
I would suggest using an insured Pest controller using heavy cartridges to destroy the nest and its contents. You may need to repeat the process as they can try and rebuild but if you do it often enough they will get teh message and leave.