RE: BEACHNET==> Gull wiring at beaches

[Elizabeth Alm <alm1ew@cmich.edu>]

Hi all,

I would just like to add one caution... 

Both gulls and geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1918 and according to the Treaty you need you need federal permits to
"pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or
kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver
for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for transportation,
transport, cause to be transported, carry, or cause to be carried by any
means whatever, receive for shipment, transportation or carriage, or
export, at any time, or in any manner, any migratory bird, included in
the terms of this Convention . . . for the protection of migratory birds
. . . or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird." (16 U.S.C.
703)

So this treaty excludes any harm to nests, eggs, fledglings, adults
without proper permitting obtained in advance.

Liz

Eric -
At New York State Parks we have not tried the gull wiring at any of our beaches but our sister agency, the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation has used it at a large beach on Lake George with some success.  I spoke to Brett Blanchard (518-623-1200) and he offered the following information.  They use 30 - 40 lb test fishing line and string it from existing metal poles at a height of 7-8 feet.  The poles are approximately 18 - 20" apart.  This is a very inexpensive solution and is generally effective for a while until the birds get used to it.  They redo it every year as needed.  They also use forestry flagging on poles as a scare tactic for the gulls.  Brett is willing to discuss this with you if you have further questions.  He is also looking for some photos of it that he could possibly pass along.
 
As others have stated in previous replies, geese are a whole different situation.  With them, you also need multiple tools to keep them off your beach.  We have found that egg oiling in March and April if you can find the nests, is the most useful.  If the adults have no young it is much easier to scare them away.  Once they have molted and can't fly, if they are at your beach, you are stuck with them for the summer.  Border Collies seem to be very effective in combination with some other tactics such as remote control speed boats, and fencing on the beach and possibly in the water to prevent swim ins.  We have also been experimenting with Green Laser pens at night.  Several of our park managers have reported that this works really well to scare the geese.  It may also work on gulls, we haven't tried yet.  Feel free to give me a call with any questions.
Good Luck!

Karen B. Terbush
Environmental Analyst 2
NYS Office of Parks,Recreation
and Historic Preservation
Environmental Management Bureau
Agency Bldg. 1, Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12238
(518) 474-0409
Fax 474-7013

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From: owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net [ mailto:owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of Mark Gold

Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:26 PM

To: Eric Edwards; Eric [DNR] O'Brien; beachnet@great-lakes.net

Subject: RE: BEACHNET==> Gull wiring at beaches

Also, city of L.A. at Cabrillo Beach and LA County did this at Marina Del Rey in Mothers beach.  Eric is correct ? the success has been spotty.

 

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From: owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net [ mailto:owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of Eric Edwards

Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:18 AM

To: Eric [DNR] O'Brien; beachnet@great-lakes.net

Subject: RE: BEACHNET==> Gull wiring at beaches

 

Eric

 

Geese are not a problem in Southern California, but sea gulls are.  A number of cities have used monofilament line in an effort to deter the gulls, with varying degrees success.  A specific example would be the City of Avalon which is located on Santa Catalina Island.  I don't know the cost, but you could contact the city for details. 

 

 

 

Eric Edwards R.E.H.S.

Chief Environmental Health Specialist

County of Los Angeles

Department of Public Health

Water Quality Program 626-430-5420

eedwards@ph.lacounty.gov

>>> Elizabeth Alm <alm1ew@cmich.edu> 11/27/2007 9 19 >>>

Apparently, from my conversations with a number of gull/geese deterrent experts,  gull and geese deterrent strategies may need to be quite different.  Geese are rather skittish and can be chased away relatively easily and will then tend to stay away, but gulls are much more persistent and harassment techniques must be consistent and protracted.

Liz

Eric:

 

My involvement with this network evolved from the Blue Flag designation at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park in Ontario. Your question about gull wiring at beaches reminded me of a recent presentation I attended that was given by Scott Thomas, Superintendent at Six Mile Provincial Park in Ontario. I checked with Scott to see if he had any written reports or an update that I could share. There isnt a report but Scott did share the following:

 

At Six Mile Provincial Park, a net type product like monofilament was not used as the issues related to geese and they tend to not fly onto the beach but instead land on the water and swim in to the beach area. Tactics comprised of motion activated sprinklers (with signage) during shoulder season only,  staff harassment by driving Gators on the beach areas etc., hanging coveralls from trees, and professional goose control canine performing random visits. Of course campers on the beach are a deterrent in high use times.

 

The results from these activities included:

No closed beach days which is a reduction from 2 to 4 bad water quality samples annually that resulted in closed beaches.

No written complaints from park users which is a significant reduction from dozens of written complaints in previous years.

In conclusion, although there is no one technique that appeared to work best; this combination of approaches has proven to be successful in deterring geese from the beaches at Six Mile Provincial Park. Generally the trick was to create an unwelcoming and unsettling environment which contributed to encouraging the geese to move on.

 

John Fisher

Park Superintendent

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park

Ontario Parks

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From: owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net [ mailto:owner-beachnet@great-lakes.net] On Behalf Of O'Brien, Eric [DNR]

Sent: November 26, 2007 3:39 PM

To: beachnet@great-lakes.net

Subject: BEACHNET==> Gull wiring at beaches

 

Hello all

 

Does anyone have examples of cases where wiring was used to deter gulls/geese from beaches?  I have heard some people talk about them being a cheap deterrent, but the only example I could find was from Ottowa and cost sever hundred thousand dollars.  Any information about who to contact, design schematics or pictures of the systems would be very helpful. 

 

Thanks,

Eric

 

_______________________________________________

Eric OBrien

Beach Monitoring Coordinator

Iowa DNR, Water Monitoring

109 Trowbridge Hall

Iowa City, IA 52242-1319

 

Office: (319) 353-2835

Cell: (319) 560-6128

Email: Eric.OBrien@dnr.iowa.gov

_______________________________________________

 

_______________________________________

Elizabeth Wheeler Alm, Ph.D.

Professor, Microbiology

157 Brooks Hall

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI  48859

email: alm1ew@cmich.edu

web address: http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/alm1ew/index.html

Office phone: 989-774-2503

Lab phone: 989-774-1862

Dept. phone: 989-774-3227

Dept. fax: 989-774-3462

_______________________________________
Elizabeth Wheeler Alm, Ph.D.
Professor, Microbiology
157 Brooks Hall
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI  48859
email: alm1ew@cmich.edu
web address: http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/alm1ew/index.html

Office phone: 989-774-2503
Lab phone: 989-774-1862
Dept. phone: 989-774-3227
Dept. fax: 989-774-3462