Crows Wreaking Havoc on Farms? Here's the Lowdown on the Bavarian Deterrent Project
Ravens causing destruction of crop yields - When the Crowing Seeds Ruin the Crop Yield
Damn crows... ruining our fields and crops! That's right, you read it right. When these feathery nasties swarm a farm, they can cause irreparable damage to harvests, leaving farmers high and dry. But fear not, folks, because the Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU) and Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) have teamed up to put an end to this bird-brained madness.
The plan, my friends, is to test various deterrent methods on farmland, with the goal of minimizing future crop destruction in hotspots like Straubing, Erding, and Asbach-Baumenheim (Donau-Ries district). Interested farmers can still jump on board. In Straubing, which is practically ground zero for the main crow colony (they reside near the Tiergarten), the population is impressive, with around 1,000 breeding pairs.
Now let's talk about what these crows crave—earthworms! When they're not available, they'll settle for plant and seedling destruction. And no, hanging CDs or wooden crosses with blinking CDs isn't always enough to keep these clever avian pests at bay. That's why additional measures like balloons, kites, and crow decoys are being used on project fields. Once again, it's worth noting that shooting isn't entirely off the table, but only exceptionally, with a valid permit, and only non-breeding animals are targeted.
Now, if you thought crows resembled rooks, think again! Permits to shoot them must always be obtained to avoid any friendly fire mistakes in the project fields. Beg your pardon, but there's more: protective nets over young plants are not even enough to deter them. Those cunning crows simply poke holes in them, rendering the protection useless.
Wait, there's a Johannes Frank in this story, who grows medicinal plants (like Primula veris) and other stuff. He's been plagued by these crows, whose exploits have led to tens of thousands of euros in damages in 2023. This year, he's tried out some LfU's special kites and plastic decoy dead crows on his field. Surprisingly, passersby have even reported these decoys to the police, mistaking them for the real deal!
And the good news? So far, the acclimatization effect with these deterrent methods doesn't seem to be as fast as in previous years for Frank and his fellow farmers. Nevertheless, Nils Teufel, a scientific employee at HSWT, reminds us that there are no guarantees.
The project is ongoing until harvest, and an evaluation is due by the end of the year. In the meantime, there are also urban trials ongoing in Dachau to deter crows in city centers. However, results from this aspect of the project are yet to come.
Now, let's address the elephant in the room. The Bavarian State Association for the Protection of Birds (LBV) isn't sold on the project, voicing concerns about a growing trend to call for culling options instead of seeking solutions respectful of species and animal protection. According to the LBV, the influx of crows to cities is largely due to changes in agriculture,with fewer undisturbed tree groups available for nesting. So, in essence, these birds are often left with no choice but to move into urban areas.
In conclusion, if you're a farmer in the affected regions I mentioned earlier and are tired of sharing your land with these menacing crows, consider joining the project. And if you're a city dweller and are witnessing an irritating influx of crows, remember,my friends: the key to coexisting with these winged pests often lies in finding solutions that prioritize the welfare of species and the surrounding environment. Good luck!
- The Bavarian Environment Agency and Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences have collaborated to test various methods in farmlands, aiming to minimize future crop destruction by crows in affected regions like Straubing.
- These deterrent methods include unconventional means like balloons, kites, and crow decoys, as simple measures such as CDs and wooden crosses often fail to keep crows at bay.
- Despite concerns from the Bavarian State Association for the Protection of Birds, the project emphases on finding solutions that prioritize species and environmental welfare, rather than resorting to culling options.
- It is essential for farmers, city dwellers, and environmental scientists to stay informed about climate-change related issues in fisheries, such as the impact of crows on agricultural produce and the need for sustainable deterrent methods in fisheries, environmental-science, education-and-self-development, industry, and finance.
