From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ohio

I have never had this big of a problem before when planting my cover crop seed,but the sparrows are putting a HUGE dent in it! There is so many birds, its almost like I'm watching the Movie ''The Birds'.

Whats the best way to keep these birds from eating my cover crop seed before its all gone?,lol. I do have the seed raked in really well but the sparrows are scratching at the dirt like chickens to get at the seed.

I know the most popular answer is going to be 12 Ga shot gun, and that's a very good idea, if I was retired and could sit and guard my patch 24/7,lol. I have also tried sitting out a fake owl , but the sparrows practically land on it paying it no mind. Any ideas on how to keep the birds out?

Brooks

11/3/2008 4:51:31 AM

cat

11/3/2008 5:39:26 AM

Long Island,New York

I have to put shade screen on top of ground after seeding.

11/3/2008 5:59:50 AM

SE Minnesota

sometimes we use a plastic owl that is on a swivel or creates some sort of movement

11/3/2008 7:58:07 AM

London, Ohio

put out a rubber snake it may help also

11/3/2008 8:31:06 AM

Mulino, Oregon

Brooks, after I put mine down, I set my tiller to a really shallow depth and go back over the patch. That puts the seed just below the surface.

11/3/2008 9:19:56 AM

Colorado

brooks,try clear plastic over the seed.water it in well first.The plastic helps give a greenhouse effect ond gets the seed to sprout and develop faster.Once the crop is about three inches high remove the plastic.

11/3/2008 10:24:42 AM

Mcminnville, Or. ([email protected])

I've heard of people hanging flashy mylar strips from stakes throughout the patch. Also you could put up some feeders to deter them away from the cover crop? Might be easier to feed, than fight them.

11/3/2008 10:27:46 AM

Deer Park WA

We plant twice as much seed as we would normally need and scratch it in a bit. Redistribution of wealth at a pumpkin patch level!

11/3/2008 11:06:14 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

alka seltzer :)

11/3/2008 2:07:50 PM

[email protected]

Brooks....don't get mad...get even...eat the Sparrows.

11/3/2008 2:39:34 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Same thing here Brooks, my cat is doing his part but can only eat 1 or 2 a day!

Need a scarecrow or something like Brent said.

11/3/2008 4:17:13 PM

western PA

brooks you only need to be out there 12/7, they only come out in the day. switch to the midnight shift.

11/4/2008 8:33:56 AM

Adams County

Brooks, I raked mine in a little" winter wheat" put on xtra heavy. Birds attacked it but i've still got a 4" high crop doing fine, Bill

11/4/2008 7:04:21 PM

Oz

Take the available sound recordings of hawks,and owls,and broadcast them on a loop cd.

11/4/2008 11:02:42 PM

Ohio

Vader, but its getting cold out this time of year!,,lol

11/5/2008 4:52:17 AM

Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Brooks,

I wonder if you could set out 50 or so mouse traps and when a bird hits one it will go off and scare the rest away. I don't know how humane it is.

Maybe you need to put down a grid of trip wires and attach a party popper to the arm of the trap so when the bird lands on the string it activates the trap, the trap pulls the party popper string and boom. the birds fly away.

Just trying to think outside the box.

Good luck!

Frank

11/7/2008 11:50:14 AM