Rise in Bird Banger Complaints

I've received 50 complaints from neighbours about bird bangers (BB) over the past five weeks, with more each day. This is taking far too much of my time, so I'm asking for your collective help. I get complaints every year, so this isn't new, but the complaints are up and neighbours' frustration levels (as well as mine) are too. I have found most neighbours understand the need for BB, but the understanding disappears when BB are used inappropriately.

First, far too many BB are not being turned off at the right time, or starting at the right time. Some are not stopping until it is absolutely dark, others are operating all night, and some BB are starting at 4:30 in the morning, or whatever. Timers are being set incorrectly, or are not working properly. A couple of complaints per year are understandable, but not as many as I have received this year. More and more vineyards are operated by managers who do not live at, or even near the vineyard and it is almost impossible to figure out who owns the BB. Along the Escarpment with echoing, a BB operating at night can be extremely difficult to locate. One BB was operating for at least a week at night this month and no one knew whose it was, or where it was. So, I ask you to make sure BB are set properly and only operate during daylight hours.

Secondly, some BB are too close to neighbours' houses. Here are just a few of the complaints I've verified this year alone; a BB less than 100 feet from someone's house; one only 25 feet from someone's office; one firing only in one direction all the time at someone's house because it was not level and allowed to spin around; two BB each operating while less than 100 feet apart. I recommend 125 m (410 feet) away from someone's house when the BB is level and can spin in all directions; is on 'B' loud setting; and Level 2 frequency (4 to 8 minute setting). I understand there are vineyards where this is a difficult distance to meet, but is less than 100 feet ever appropriate?

By some estimates there are at least 1500 BB in use in Niagara, and I'd estimate perhaps 2% of them are causing problems. This reflects badly on the remaining 98%. The industry can not afford to have a few spoil it for the rest, so please ensure you are using your BB appropriately, and gently remind those who are not using them appropriately.

Bird banger in a vineyard

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