Shots heard 2

We have received the following communication from the council:

The farmer at Balvie Farm is using auditory bird scarers which imitate the sound of gunfire to protect newly planted crops from damage by wild birds.

This is common practice in the farming community although I understand that bird scarers have not been used at this farm in the past. Consequently their operation has caused concern to some local residents.

There are two types of scarer being used at the farm. A firework blast is set off once in the morning and once in the early evening which creates a very loud single bang - this appears to be the one causing the most disturbance to local residents.  The second type is best described as a firecracker which emits a lower level bang every 15 to 20 minutes.

Alternative means of scaring the birds have been attempted by the farmer, however these have been ineffective.

The main reason for complaints from some of the local residents has been the early start time of the firework blast in the mornings.  It is recommended that auditory bird scarers used in the vicinity of residential properties are not used before 7am or after 10pm and should not be fired more than four times in any hour.  I understand that the firework has been set off before 7am on occasions, however after visiting the farm I have been assured that this will not happen again.

I have requested that the farmer does not use the firework before 8am on Mondays to Fridays (fired between 8-9am) and 9am on Saturdays (fired between 9-10am) with no firework blasting on Sundays.  The evening firework blast will take place between 5 and 6pm every day, with the exception of a Sunday.  The farmer will only use the lower noise level firecrackers from 7am every day as this is necessary to protect the crops while they are most vulnerable.  The use of the scarers will gradually reduce over the next few weeks and their operation will cease by the end of July, therefore any disturbance will be short lived.

The farmer has been asked to inform this Service in advance of any future bird scaring operations, this information can then be passed onto yourself so that nearby residents can be made aware of the situation.

I hope this information is of assistance.