Texas wind farm pioneers radar technology to protect migrating birds

According to a Guardian.co.uk post, Wind farms in US kill about 7000 birds a year. Estimates from a single wind farm in Altamont, California showed as many as 1,300 birds of prey killed each year – or about three a day. A handful of wind power projects in the US have been shelved because of wildlife concerns. But with new bird radar technology now in use at the Peñascal wind farm is protecting migrating birds at times of peak danger.

Read full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/01/wind-farm-bird-radar

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All about Pigeons

Pigeons are found all through the US. Grey in color with a whitish rump, two black bars on wing feathers, a wide black band on the tail; two legs with red feet, measuring about 11 inches, pigeons are considered to be filthy birds.

Pigeons feed on food grains and we end up feeding them unknowingly by spilling food everywhere. Open trash containers also provide food to pigeons.

Pigeons are commonly found in agricultural farms, in food warehouses, grain elevators, in food mills, around parks, and in steeples and voids outside buildings, bridges, and other structures.

Their droppings cause slips and falls besides causing extensive damage to the buildings and statues. What is even more serious is that pigeon droppings are the carriers of serious diseases like toxoplasmosis and salmonella, and they allow the growth of the fungus which causes histoplasmosis.

It is very important to prevent pigeons from roosting and nesting inside homes and outside buildings. Anti Bird spikes, bird gels, scare balloons, and visual acoustics are some of the bird control devices that help get rid of pigeons in a safe and humane manner without causing any harm to them.

In addition to adopting bird control methods and devices, homeowners and building owners must ensure that there is no food or water within the reach of the pigeons. Pigeon feeding must be discouraged as far as possible to keep them out of your homes and commercial buildings. By making roosting and nesting areas inhospitable for pigeons, the problem can be tackled in a much better manner.

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7 interesting things you must know about woodpeckers

How much do you actually know about woodpeckers other than the fact that they peck on the trees and poles? Here are some interesting facts that you ought to know about woodpeckers –

1. There are approximately 180 species of woodpeckers found all over the world. The most commonly available species of woodpecker in North America is the downy woodpecker.

2. Depending on the species, their tongue is as much as 4 inches long. They usually have barbed tongues that they use for extracting bugs from trees and holes.

3. Woodpeckers have very interesting feet. They have toes that face both the front and the back to help them grip trees and poles as they climb on them.

4. Woodpeckers eat fruits, nuts, seeds, sap, and bugs. The nut feeders that grow in your backyard attract them to your house.

5. Unlike other birds, they do not produce any vocal song. They drum on the resonant objects for communicating with their fellow species, for attracting their mates, and for establishing their territories.

6. Woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times in a second. In a single day, they can peck for 8000-12000 times. 
   
   
7. While it may be quite annoying to bear the pecking sound that woodpeckers make in your backyard, woodpeckers don't get any headache from their own pecking noise. Their skulls are structured to spread the force and their brains are tightly cushioned.

Worried about the damage caused by woodpeckers? Seek professional bird control solutions to get rid of woodpeckers to protect your trees and wooden objects in your garden and patio.

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Are your trees safe?

Woodpeckers are a major concern for tree. They feed primarily on the tree bark and during the course of tapping and pecking they end up spoiling the whole tree. Woodpeckers basically search for tree trunks and branches to feed on beetles, insects, and carpenter ants. They peck on the tree surface and then search for the insects with their barbed tongue. If they are unable to find any insect, they start to peck at another place. The damage usually occurs in horizontal lines on the tree trunk surface.

Woodpeckers usually feed on insects and ants but some of them feed on sap as well. Also known as sapsuckers, these woodpeckers are seen as a major threat to trees. Whereas woodpeckers only prefer dead wood to find insects for feeding, sapsuckers attack living tree to get fresh sap. Repeated pecking by sapsuckers kills branches and results in the damage of the entire tree. The oozing sap attracts squirrels, porcupines, and other insects-causing additional damage to the tree.

To protect your healthy and beautiful trees in your garden from woodpeckers and sapsuckers you must look for effective bird control methods. There are so many products and methods available in the market that help deter woodpeckers from entering backyards and farms. For successful results, you may look for a reputable bird control company to get rid off woodpeckers permanently.

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Pigeon droppings: Good or bad?

We all know that pigeon droppings are bad. They have a foul smell and they are the carriers of innumerable diseases. In addition, the acidic nature of the pigeon droppings corrodes natural stones like marble and granite and mars their beauty. Pigeon bird dropping is seen as a potent threat to both private and public buildings. 

But do you know that pigeon droppings were considered to be quite useful during 16^th and 18^th centuries in Europe? These were used as a natural fertilizer due to the good nourishing values. Pigeon poop was found to be an excellent source of fertilizer for melon crops in Iran. In Italy and in France, pigeon bird droppings were used to fertilize vineyards and hemp crops.

Moreover, in England around the 16^th century, pigeon droppings were used for making gunpowder. Pigeon droppings contain saltpetre that is believed to be a valuable ingredient for making gunpowder. Guards were made to stand outside pigeon houses to prevent thieves from stealing the pigeon droppings. Strange isn’t it??

What was considered so valuable then has become a cause of worry for most of us now. Pigeon droppings spread several infections and viruses that can be very harmful for humans and pets. Further, they cause loss of over hundreds and thousands of dollars every year by spoiling the expensive buildings and structures across the world.

If you are having a tough time due to the menace caused by the pigeons, look for a reputable bird control company and make your home and building safe and free from pigeons.

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Bird Control Guide for Residential Home Owners

Controlling birds is easier when your property is clean, well pruned and there is nothing there for the birds to eat. Sometimes they will congregate if they are eating something in your garden, or you have recently dug up some dirt (birds like this because it’s easier to go through the loose dirt to look for worms).

If you keep your property clean and patch up any holes and spaces where the birds can get in, this should solve 90% of your problems.

Read full article at http://www.scarecrowvsbirds.com/bird-control-measures/ to get more information about bird control at residential properties.

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How Bird Spike works?

The bird spikes keep pests from landing and sitting. All you do is glue them to where you want to keep pests away from and attach the spikes there. They will keep away pesky birds hanging out on the ledge above doors, on balconies, rafters, tree branches, and anywhere that birds generally sit. They will also keep other animals away from the area keeping it clean and free from noise and mess, which is not a good look.

Read full article at: http://www.scarecrowvsbirds.com/bird-scarer-reviews/bird-x-bird-spikes-kit/

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