Nite Guard Solar LED light

EngineerBill · Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:02 pm

Has anyone tried the Nite Guard solar LED strobe light as an anti OWL repellant? I am now having nightly GH Owl attacks and they have destroyed two super gourds.
http://shop.niteguard.com/collections/all

Chuck4 · Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:04 pm

I use them with success, but there are others who have not had success with them. I have four rigged at the top of my martin rack pointing n, s, e and w. You can see them in the video link in my sig. I live in a suburb, and owls aren't as prevalent as they would be farther out in the rural areas (I think). I know owls are in my area though because I have heard them at night.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Thu Jun 25, 2015 3:28 pm

If an owl is now raiding your colony, the lites will probably not work. You need to put a wire cage around your cavities, the cage will work for sure. Most people use the 2in x 4in wire.

EngineerBill · Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:14 pm

For tonight and the next few nights I plan on putting on flood lights to the SG's & polls. planning on adding both Nite Lite Guard and cages. This GH owl just showed up 3 nights ago and is wreaking havoc nightly. Some how got to break the cycle of his attendance. I now have 19 youngsters with no parents.

KathyF · Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:00 pm

Bill, neither the nite guard lites nor the flood lights will help now. You need to get some fencing up el pronto - 2x4 welded wire fencing will help.

http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com/2014/05 ... -thee.html

rickchilli · Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:18 pm

hey kathy, I liked your article in the purple martin update called "house sparrow control myths". I've been passing it around to new landlord wana bees and the neighbors around my colonies. I wanted them to understand what kind of problem this little ISIS of the bird world can be. The neighbors sure like to watch my martins. A lot of them are retired.

EngineerBill · Fri Jun 26, 2015 8:17 am

Kathy,

Has the method that you used in picture 8/8 green rods protecting guards worked well in the long run. This appears interesting and if it was successful I may try to duplicate it as a quick fix, while we are in PM nesting season.

Bill

ps: last night I added a 150 watt flood light and it appears it was successful at least for a one night test.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:38 am

Has anyone tried a strong spotlight on an owl, and shine it into their eyes? Seems to me that it sure would bother them, and then they may not return.

KathyF · Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:39 am

Bill, yes - check out my latest post - she tried to come up under them this past Monday, so I need to add additional interference underneath. I have some super-bright LED lights on all night and my GHO likes them.

If you want to, contact me via email and we can exchange phone numbers and do a quick call - I can give you details on what has and has not worked....it has been a journey. my email .... purplemartin (at) centurytel.net. (obviously, replace the "(at)" with the @ and no spaces.

Check out the videos here and my new scarecrow too....try it all Bill....to get her stopped.
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com/2015/06 ... -2015.html

Chuck4 · Fri Jun 26, 2015 1:41 pm

I've wondered if a bright strobe light (like a camera flash) rigged to go off, in the direction of the owl, when the owl gets too close to the housing would startle it? Keeping a spot light on is constant lighting, so the owl would become accustomed to it.

EngineerBill · Fri Jun 26, 2015 2:45 pm

a high intensity flash sure would get a startling response! I used the flood light last night for at least a one night break in the GHO action. I am looking for a temporary fix for the nesting season and then I will build a more permanent cage or protection at the end of the season for next year.
Today I was pleasantly surprised to see one of the repaired gourds female returned and was feeding the nestlings though she has a big clutch to care for alone since the male is now missing! I may move some of the youngsters to another gourd to reduce her work load.

KathyF · Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:18 pm

Chuck4 wrote:I've wondered if a bright strobe light (like a camera flash) rigged to go off, in the direction of the owl, when the owl gets too close to the housing would startle it? Keeping a spot light on is constant lighting, so the owl would become accustomed to it.

Short answer - "No - it doesn't work".

Go to my video, scroll to the 2:20 minute mark and watch her get lit up by my motion detection light as she lands on the leftmost gourd rack. I have several videos after this one, showing it doesn't phase her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=147&v=l80XIMecsCM

Dave Duit · Fri Jun 26, 2015 5:56 pm

I would not rely on the lights by themselves. I would encourage anyone who has owls to put up an owl cage or at least owl guards.

Chuck4 · Fri Jun 26, 2015 8:34 pm

KathyF wrote:
Chuck4 wrote:I've wondered if a bright strobe light (like a camera flash) rigged to go off, in the direction of the owl, when the owl gets too close to the housing would startle it? Keeping a spot light on is constant lighting, so the owl would become accustomed to it.
Short answer - "No - it doesn't work".

Go to my video, scroll to the 2:20 minute mark and watch her get lit up by my motion detection light as she lands on the leftmost gourd rack. I have several videos after this one, showing it doesn't phase her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=147&v=l80XIMecsCM

Kathy,

Yeah, I was wondering if it would do any better. Thanks for the proof. One thing I do think the nite guards do for me is confuse my neighbors...

I won that photo contest you suggested I enter. The "Spread Your Wings" contest. Thanks for recommending it. I'm surprised I won.

KathyF · Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:54 am

Chuck4 wrote:
I won that photo contest you suggested I enter. The "Spread Your Wings" contest. Thanks for recommending it. I'm surprised I won.

Chuck - I'm not.

Congratulations - that's so cool that you won!!!!!

KathyF · Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:50 am

rickchilli wrote:hey kathy, I liked your article in the purple martin update called "house sparrow control myths". I've been passing it around to new landlord wana bees and the neighbors around my colonies. I wanted them to understand what kind of problem this little ISIS of the bird world can be. The neighbors sure like to watch my martins. A lot of them are retired.

Thanks, Rick! They are like little ISIS critters! You are very brave to approach people about them ... I applaud your efforts.

It's not an easy thing to do.

For your convenience, if you wish to just print it - PMCA also shared it on their website here:
http://www.purplemartin.org/main/22.3-H ... wMyths.pdf

KathyF · Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:14 pm

Bill - did you get your temporary deterrent / cages up today? How did it go?

EngineerBill · Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:37 pm

NO! It has been pour rain and blowing hard all day, nearing 3.5" rain! maybe tomorrow will be better? It is coming off Lake Erie and is a bad storm!

KathyF · Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:35 pm

Oh no! Well, hope that it rains all night. From what I've read, a owl won't hunt in the rain because it makes their feathers wet and therefore lose their ability to silently approach.

EngineerBill · Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:32 pm

It is my understanding that may happen! We are now over 4" and still blowing and raining. I live on the banks of the Toussaint and it is flooding low areas now and rising fast!
I will still keep the flood lights on all night just in case the GHO decides to pay a visit.