Wines & Vines

January 2016 Unified Symposium Issue

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January 2016 WINES&VINES 99 GRAPEGROWING January 2016 WINES&VINES 99 Owls and kestrels are predators, but they can also be preyed upon by other animals. Their eggs and chicks may also be eaten. It is important to minimize predation to the extent possible. Other predators can also have benefi- cial roles in pest control, so it is important not to eliminate them, only to minimize their effect on the nesting barn owls and kestrels. Effects from terrestrial predators (including snakes and cats) can be significantly reduced by putting conical predator guards on the wooden post below the nest box, using metal poles and placing the box away from branches where predators can enter the boxes. Competi- tion for nest boxes from other species can also reduce the value of the boxes. Nest boxes mimic natural cavities, which are valuable nesting and cover sites for many species, so they may attract non-target wildlife. Box design, installation and management Be aware that the Internet shows many inap- propriate designs for nest boxes. Boxes can be purchased online and at some home stores, or you can build your own. Ideally boxes are lo- cated on wooden or metal poles, but they can be installed on existing structures if they are safe from predation (see above). Wood shav- ings are often added to the boxes to increase their attractiveness to potential nesting birds. Boxes should be cleaned and repaired an- nually to maintain the attractiveness to birds. If occupied, the boxes should not be disturbed during nesting season, since disturbance could result in nest abandonment. Normal farming operations are usually compatible with nesting barn owls and kestrels. Snags, which are standing dead trees, are important for many types of wildlife. Snags provide cavities for nesting birds and other wildlife, and perching sites for many species of birds. It is important to maintain natural snags whenever possible. Plentiful perching sites are important for attracting birds of prey. Artificial snags and perches also can be installed to benefit wildlife. Materials can be dead trees or branches, or wooden or metal posts. Artificial perches should be 10 to 30 feet high, and they benefit from a small crossbar of 1 to 3 feet. Different heights and structures will attract different species, so a variety is ideal. Kestrels show a preference for perching on fence lines and wires. Installing wire perches, where perching wires are not already present, may attract hunt- ing kestrels. Australia-based Bayer's Farm Advisor has explored this topic and offered some extra areas to consider in Q&A format: Put Your Money Precision Frost Protection, Target Those Frost Pockets! READ MORE ABOUT IT AT www.shurfarms.com Where Your Frost Is! SHuR FARMS Frost Protection Colton, CA (909) 825-2035 info@shurfarms.com Kestrels hunt large insects as well as small mammals and other birds. GREG HUME

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