Bird Hazing Manual Techniques and Strategies for Dispersing Birds from Spill Sites W. Paul Gorenzel Terrell P. Salmon University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 21638 Bird Hazing Manual Techniques and Strategies for Dispersing Birds from Spill Sites W. Paul Gorenzel Terrell P. Salmon W. Paul Gorenzel, Staff Research Associate Terrell P. Salmon, Extension Wildlife Specialist Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology University of California, Davis University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 21638 Funding for this publication was provided by the Office of Spill Prevention and Response California Department of Fish and Game To order or obtain ANR publications and other products, visit the ANR Communication Services online catalog at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu or phone 1-800-994-8849. You can also place orders by mail or FAX, or request a printed catalog of our products from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Services 6701 San Pablo Avenue, 2nd Floor Oakland, California 94608-1239 Telephone 1-800-994-8849 (510) 642-2431 FAX (510) 643-5470 E-mail: [email protected] This publication has been anonymously peer reviewed for technical accuracy by University of California scientists and other qualified professionals. This review process was managed by the ANR Associate Editor for Animal, Avian, and Aquaculture Sciences. Publication 21638 ISBN-13: 978-1-60107-490-4 ©2008 The Regents of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher and the authors. Photo credits are given in the captions. Front cover photo by Tracy Borland; back cover photo by Paul Gorenzel. Design by Celeste A. Rusconi Printed in the United States of America on recycled paper. The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities. University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin Street, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607-5201, (510) 987-0096. For information about ordering this publication, telephone 1-800-994-8849. To simplify information, trade names of products have been used. No endorsement of named or illustrated products is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not mentioned or illustrated. 500-pr-5/08-SB/CR Contents CONTENTS Section A. Initial Considerations: Assessing Habitats, Bird Populations, and Spill Factors .................................... 1 Initial Considerations ........................................................ 1 Location and Extent of Spill? ........................................ 1 Habitats, Wildlife Areas? ............................................. 1 Alternative Sites? .......................................................... 2 Bird Species Present? .................................................. 2 Phenological Status? ................................................... 3 Safety of Hazing Techniques? ..................................... 3 Weather Conditions? ................................................... 3 Is Hazing Feasible? ...................................................... 4 Sources of Local Information ............................................ 4 ESI Atlas ........................................................................ 5 Area Contingency Plan ................................................ 6 Wildlife Reconnaissance Group .................................. 7 Local Expertise ............................................................. 7 Section B. Bird Dispersal and Deterrence ......................... 9 Common Bird Dispersal and Deterrent Practices ........... 9 Habituation ....................................................................... 10 Section C. Bird Dispersal: Auditory Techniques ............... 12 Pyrotechnics ...................................................................... 12 Bird Bombs, Screamers, and Screamer Banger Rockets ..................................................................... 12 Shell Crackers .............................................................. 15 CAPA Launcher and Rockets ....................................... 17 Propane Cannons ............................................................ 18 Broadcast Calls and Sounds ............................................ 21 Biosonics: Distress and Alarm Calls ........................... 21 Phoenix Wailer ............................................................. 23 Other Broadcast Devices ............................................. 25 iii Section D. Bird Dispersal and Deterrent Techniques: Visual Techniques ............................................................... 28 Mylar Tape ........................................................................ 29 Scarecrows ....................................................................... 32 Flags .................................................................................. 34 Balloons ............................................................................ 35 Lasers ................................................................................ 37 Lights ................................................................................. 39 Section E. Bird Dispersal: Combination Visual and Auditory Techniques ............................................................ 42 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) ................................................ 42 Aircraft ............................................................................... 43 Boats ................................................................................. 45 Model Airplanes ............................................................... 46 Section F. Bird Deterrents: Exclusion.................................. 48 Overhead Lines ................................................................. 48 Netting............................................................................... 50 Plastic Balls .............................................................. 51 Spikes and Coils ............................................................... 52 Section G. Suggested Hazing Techniques ........................ 55 Section H. Bird Profiles........................................................ 59 Diving Birds ....................................................................... 59 Cormorants .................................................................. 59 Pelicans ........................................................................ 61 Loons ............................................................................ 63 Grebes .......................................................................... 64 Coots ............................................................................ 66 Gulls and Terns ................................................................. 67 Gulls ............................................................................. 67 Terns ............................................................................. 69 Waterfowl .......................................................................... 70 Geese ........................................................................... 70 Ducks ............................................................................ 72 CONTENTS iv Wading Birds .................................................................... 74 CONTENTS Herons and Egrets ....................................................... 74 Shorebirds ......................................................................... 77 Marine Birds ..................................................................... 79 Alcids ............................................................................ 79 Section I. Evaluating Hazing Efforts................................... 81 Need for Record Keeping ................................................. 81 Sample Form ..................................................................... 83 Section J. Format of a Hazing Program ........................... 85 Preparedness ................................................................... 85 Centralization ............................................................... 85 Transportation .............................................................. 86 Magazine ..................................................................... 87 Inventory ...................................................................... 88 Miscellaneous