Bird scarers - what have people found to be most effective?

[Russel Sprout]

Hi all

I'm looking for some effective solutions to the common bird problem My main strawberry patch is covered in netting, and that's working a treat. However, I've got a few more strawberries dotted around the garden here are there, which are a bit more difficult to cover. The birds are also rather partial to my tayberries and peas. They seem to leave the raspberries alone for some reason; although they do rarely get an occasional one. But I can spare them that

I was going to try the CD solution, but I've read mixed opinions on its effectiveness. I love the idea of using little disco balls and may see if I can source them as I think they could look nice if placed well.

What else have people here found to help? If possible, I would like something aesthetically pleasing as we only have a small garden and it surrounds the house.

Many thanks

Max

[damian1225]

I tried the cd/dvd approach and found the birds sitting on them lol

bottle spinners seem to work well, more so if you put a few grains of dried rice in them, youtube Mr Sam the allotment man he has a tutorial on his channel they look great!

[Jimmy]

How about a model of a hawk or similar.
Jimmy

[burnie]

I'm planning on making a scarecrow with the grandkids, more for fun than expecting it to work, local farmers still use scarecrows round here(also compressed gas canons, which my neighbours might not like lol)
Scarecrows by R MAURINS, on Flickr

[veggiechicken]

Put upturned wire hanging baskets over individual strawberry plants - with a bit of bird netting over them if the gaps are large.
Kid's windmills?

[Thelma Sanders]

Get/borrow a dog or a small child - all their running about keeps the birds away

[Jimmy]

I'm planning on making a scarecrow with the grandkids]

Is that with or for the grandkids ?
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

The English language is very imprecise, I got the vision of two small urchins with their trouser legs and jacket arms stuffed with straw.
Jimmy

[Penellype]

Old fashioned milk bottle tops hung on cotton strings (several per string) - they rattle in the wind. Tin foil is a bit thin, but pieces of foil takeaway tubs or pie dishes might work.

Get a cat?

[mic]

Fireworks. Always look pretty and will keep any birds away for sure.

[Nicos]

Obviously a cat.

Also, I find those little sandcastle windmills wizzing round work fairly well. But only if there is a breeze.
I've found metallic ones this year and they are working well. They also seem to be keeping voles away directly in the vicinity.
Not very ecological I'm afraid-I'd prefer to use something biodegradable or recycled....but they do seem to help.
Painting pebbles red is supposed to help. The bird pecks at it, and keeps away ....

[burnie]

I eat the pigeons to get my veg back !!

[Bren In Pots]

I've not found anything that will effectively deter birds only netting seems to keep them out, I've had CD's, shinny stuff, windmills it all makes the garden look pretty but that's about it.

[Kirk]

Suppose the idea of being something that could approximate to being "wildlife friendly" and letting them have a few is not a possibility?

[lottie dolly]

I know of a person who,got a long sweet potato,stuck feathers in to represent a bird,looked good,cannot remember if it worked or not,could try that at home,will look around the chicken pen,the smell of real feathers might do it,with some dress pins for eyes,hang it on string,from a bamboo cane at an angle,it looks like it flying,we got some collar doves nesting in our prunus tree's,they seem partial to the leaves off my purple caulies,hope i can get enough hen feathers.