When it comes to Bird Bangers, tolerance is needed by both Growers and neighbours.
Bird Bangers emit cannon-like sounds that scare away birds. The sound will be heard throughout rural areas and in some residential neighbourhoods near vineyards.
The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has no enforcement jurisdiction over Bird Bangers or their operation. Growers have a responsibility to act appropriately and in keeping with best management practices at all times.
Ontario Growers are protected from nuisance noise complaints by neighbours provided they are following normal farm practices as per the Farming and Food Production Act (FFPPA) 1998. This means "conducted in a manner consistent with proper and acceptable standards as established and followed by similar agricultural operations under similar circumstances.
If a resident believes they are being affected by a Bird Banger it is encouraged that they first try resolving the matter by speaking with the Grower. If a successful resolution cannot be reached the resident can further contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
All farmland is private property and vandalizing a Bird Banger is a criminal act.
For more information on the use of Bird Bangers, or to lodge a complaint against a Grower you believe is not operating a Bird Banger under normal farm practices, contact:
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Website: http://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/
Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300
Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Bird Banger Best Practices
The principle for best management practices for bird bangers is that their only use is to protect bearing, marketable grapes from bird predation. The number of bird bangers operated should be appropriate for the amount of bird pressure present. Malicious use for any other purpose must not be tolerated.
1. Follow recommended setbacks for bird bangers to neighbours’ homes based on ring-graph method on management strategies.
2. Tell neighbours living within 175 m (575 ft) of bird bangers about when and how they will be operated and who to call if there is a problem.
3. Start operating bird bangers no earlier than three to four weeks prior to veraison and stop right after harvest. Do not operate outside this season.
4. Operate bird bangers during daylight hours, between 30 minutes before local sunrise and 30 minutes after local sunset.
5. Place adjacent bird bangers no closer than 125 m (410 ft) to each other, unless the area of crop being protected is less than about 4 ha (9.9 ac), in which case place them no closer than 100 m (328 ft) as smaller properties are often awkwardly shaped. To calculate hectares of grapes needing protection include just the area of land currently of crop-bearing age and marketable in the current year.
6. Adjust timers to account for changes in sunrise and sunset times throughout the season especially at Daylight Savings Time if bird bangers are still necessary beyond this date until harvest.
7. Where practical, move bird bangers weekly so birds do not get used to their location.
8. Do not place bird bangers within a grape row directly in line with a neighbour’s house, as the row canopy can channel the sound towards the house.
9. Monitor bird bangers so they operate properly, especially those not on, or near, your home farm.
10. Take into account echoing when using bird bangers adjacent and below or on the Niagara Escarpment, as it can cause echoing.
11. Use light sensor over-ride devices to ensure bird bangers cannot operate at night, even if timers are adjusted improperly, especially on properties where the vineyard manager lives off-site.