Kite bird scarers

[cotswoldcs]

We've planted over 15ha of kale and just starting to have pigeon problems again. Banger always seems to let me down and stop working just when it's needed so I'd like to try some flying kites. Can anyone recommend something as there's so many choices when searching online! How good are they and how reliable if strong winds appear. How often do you need to move them?

 

[Zippy768]

I just get some off of the Ebay. First dose will cost u abit because you'll need the poles. Kites don't last forever and are cheap to replace. I have had great success with them - usually in the spring. Autumn protection is difficult as I seemed to constantly be taking them down before they blew away.
I just opt for the black hawk ones.
Like any protection, they need moving 1/2 a week.

Banger is always first choice but some places I wouldn't be sure it would be there very long!!

 

[Simon Chiles]

We've planted over 15ha of kale and just starting to have pigeon problems again. Banger always seems to let me down and stop working just when it's needed so I'd like to try some flying kites. Can anyone recommend something as there's so many choices when searching online! How good are they and how reliable if strong winds appear. How often do you need to move them?

Allsop Helikites. I’d rate them as the most effective method of bird control, you might have to back them up with the occasional rope banger in extreme conditions but they are the only thing I’ve found effective on Soya and Lupins. I have used some this year next to a housing estate because I thought they would be favourite with the locals. Local Facebook page was awash with comments about how dangerous they were, because they might cause someone to crash when they were looking over the hedge and how they were frightening their dogs. Anyway someone ( I’m certain I know who as I blocked where she gets into the field ) set light to the securing line to release the kite and nicked a couple of Hawkeyes as well. I resorted to rope bangers and haven’t had a single complaint. You couldn’t make it up!

http://www.allsopphelikites.com/index.php?mod=page&id_pag=11

 

[richard hammond]

Allsop Helikites. I’d rate them as the most effective method of bird control, you might have to back them up with the occasional rope banger in extreme conditions but they are the only thing I’ve found effective on Soya and Lupins. I have used some this year next to a housing estate because I thought they would be favourite with the locals. Local Facebook page was awash with comments about how dangerous they were, because they might cause someone to crash when they were looking over the hedge and how they were frightening their dogs. Anyway someone ( I’m certain I know who as I blocked where she gets into the field ) set light to the securing line to release the kite and nicked a couple of Hawkeyes as well. I resorted to rope bangers and haven’t had a single complaint. You couldn’t make it up!

http://www.allsopphelikites.com/index.php?mod=page&id_pag=11

Simon, we are unfortunately sometimes dealing with idiots in this job, both within and outside the industry!

 

[California]

We use a company called Life's A Breeze who are based in Devon. An example of their Ebay listing is here
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Red-hawk...f997:m:mhisFyGDJCPHYIIRrGjSElg&frcectupt=true
There are probably cheaper ones on Ebay but a lot seem to come from China / Chinese companies so not so sure on the quality (and a long way to return a duff one!)
A complete setup including ground stake works out at around £40 including VAT so not that expensive. The kites themselves don't normally last longer than a season realistically but seem to at least do a bit of a job as part along with gas guns etc. We've had a couple stolen over the last 5 years too which is a nuisance.
Before these we tried the Scarem ones and the Portek ones which were much more expensive and didn't really last any longer.

 

[cotswoldcs]

We use a company called Life's A Breeze who are based in Devon. An example of their Ebay listing is here
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Red-hawk...f997:m:mhisFyGDJCPHYIIRrGjSElg&frcectupt=true
There are probably cheaper ones on Ebay but a lot seem to come from China / Chinese companies so not so sure on the quality (and a long way to return a duff one!)
A complete setup including ground stake works out at around £40 including VAT so not that expensive. The kites themselves don't normally last longer than a season realistically but seem to at least do a bit of a job as part along with gas guns etc. We've had a couple stolen over the last 5 years too which is a nuisance.
Before these we tried the Scarem ones and the Portek ones which were much more expensive and didn't really last any longer.

Thanks for this. I've ordered one of these and will let you know how I get on with it.