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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

CDs On Deck - Birds Win First Round !

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/07/2006 : 05:24:15

I tried the bird preventers - Strung CDs from the Bow pulpit to around the cabin windows connected to the stanchion and hanging about a 1 - 1 1/2 ft or so below the lifelines. My family and I went sailing this weekend and when we approached the boat, 3 birds just to get under my skin were sitting on the lifelines enjoying the day. One did not leave even leave as we approached.

My thought is that living in the Washington, Dc we may have a high percentage of educate birds that of gone through the CD Bird Preventer Course 101. Maybe there was about 10-20%% less bird droppings but hard to say. We forgot to put the CD s back up when we finished sailing but thunderstorms this morning probably helped clean off whatever they left between yesterday and today. If I get a chance, I will restring the CDs today and try and see if I can hang them partially above the lifelines - See if that works. Then I have to try other options - maybe the plastic owl or the spider wires that radiate from a center base. Frank suggested buying some fish and throwing them on some boats a few slips away. really do not want to resort to that. i may wind up attracting more birds to our marina.

You know....after awhile....the bird droppings don't look so bad.....

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 06:55:12

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/20030/0/0/plastic%20owl/All_2/mode+matchallpartial/0/0

Most guys in this area use this....and it works. The neighbor has one and we've been relatively clean this year.

If you get it at westmarine, please use the link on the links page

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 08:18:03

Duane,

If the local West Marine (and we have one under the Boat US name at Boat US Hdqtrs) has the owl in stock or can get it without me paying shipping charges, then I will probably buy it locally. otherwise, I will get it thru the link. When I order other items like from catalina Direct, I usually remember to go thru the link.

Thanks for the info on the owl. maybe that will work.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 08:55:34

Mounted one of those on the hood of my PT Cruiser...haven't had a bird poop on it since.

Steve

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 08:58:40

I tried the owl thingy...It just attracted more owls!

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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 09:20:38

Try hanging the CDs up higher, so that the wind catches them and moves them about. It's the flashing from the reflected sunlight that bothers them. It's not the moving CDs that scare them it's the light flashes scooting around the deck.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 09:50:56

Unfortunately, Catalina Direct doesn't give us any love.

They also sell the snakes...

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 12:24:22

My spouse says no to the snake idea. That will keep her away probably even more so than the birds.

I am also going to try hanging the CDs higher and possibly consider putting spikes on them or the lifelines.

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Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 17:19:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 My spouse says no to the snake idea. That will keep her away probably even more so than the birds.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hmmm...thanks for the tip.

Steve

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dave holtgrave
Captain

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USA
427 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 20:18:35

OWLS AT WALMART
$12 cheap
i also tried the cd's to no success.
owls work

dave holtgrave
on carlyle lake in southern illinois
5722 sk/tr

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2006 : 22:50:10

Looks like my posting response did not show up....
Raised the height of the CDs today. After seeing the same suspects (3 birds) on my lifelines again. Also stopped at Boat US (West Marine) and bought the owl and also an inflatable sort of beach ball of scary eyeballs.

I will install them tomorrow after a sail - Weather to be good tomorrow. So...round 2 starts tomorrow. Score so far : Birds 1 - Birdman 2.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2006 : 21:01:22

1st battle of the 2nd round won by birdman !

I had no time yet to hook up the owl or the beach ball with the large eyes but...after hanging the CDs above the lifeline as opposed to below the lifeline, seems there is a noticeable difference. So far that seems to have discouraged the birds for the most part. We shall see how it goes tomorrow and the next day.

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JB
Navigator

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USA
114 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 00:15:19

I use a pennant string like you see at a car lot. I can positively say that it works for sparrows, swallows and martins. When I don't hang it out I cannot believe the amount of waste those little birds leave. I don't know why they like my boat there are 2 other Cat 25s nearby and they don't get pooped on like me. With the pennants, the boat is pretty clean.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2006 : 05:29:03

I think I saw one boat with pennants in my marina. So, I guess they probably have had good experiences as well.

Some at the marina have been taking note of my CDs. I guess another benefit of the CDs is it's a conversation starter. One person is asking for updates on the CD effectiveness. She has poops on her canvas cover (of a motorboat).

Going out again today. We have a string of real good days with temps in the high 80s-90F, winds 10-12 or 10-15mph each day and sunny. So..I will be out after work today.

Thursday, I have to put some time in at home, pack for a trip to Florida and then leave the birds to do their thing or not) for 8 days. I will be in the Sarasota/Bradenton (west coast of Florida) and then shift at mid-point of trip to east coast , Boynton Beach area.

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