A high-tech solution employing the power of light can help farmers protect their crops from birds. Laser beams are being tested to scare birds from sweet corn fields and other crops.
A laser scarecrow system deploys a constantly moving green laser beam to frighten birds from the fields. In a March 22 webinar, researchers from the University of Rhode Island (URI) and Cornell Cooperative Extension shared research insights gained through examining use of the experimental laser scarecrow.
The open source 50-milliwatt scarecrows were tested on New York farms. The URI units cover up to nine acres. They are designed for farmers with smaller fields or fields with multiple varying elevations, operations that likely won’t see economies of scale to justify larger units.
The scarecrows are also used to scare birds from blueberries and grapes. Sweet cherries are also being considered.
Birds possess strong eyesight, about 10 times greater than humans’, but vary by species. Birds can quickly identify and ignore deterrents like scary-eyed balloons, effigies and startling noises, reason propane canons possess limited effectiveness.
Laser light prevents birds from perching on tops of corn tassels before moving lower to feed. The laser research demonstrates birds do not appear to become acclimated to lasers and instead, become more afraid of them with repeated exposure. Research shows lasers in general work best on flocking birds.
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