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Electric Fences & BirdsDate: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 13:57:58 -0400 To the list for comment, I am sorry to report that a beautiful male Northern Cardinal (NOCA) got zapped by our electrified fence last Sunday morning. Apparently, he landed on the wire prior to 5:30 a.m. (when the electricity was turned off) and his tail must have touched a metal screw on a nearby insulator. His female partner is now attempting to raise at least two nestlings by herself. What is the likelihood that the nestlings will survive with just one parent attending to their needs? Is there anything we could do to help her? Regarding electrified fences, has anyone else had bluebird or other songbird fatalities from such a fence? This is the third year we have put ours up. It is an absolute necessity; otherwise the deer would devour our tomato shoots, potato greens, peppers, and so forth. The fence comes on at 9 pm, which is after the last birds have settled in for the night, and we thought it was safe to turn it off as late as 5:30 am, about 15 minutes before I have seen the first birds flying about and a half hour before sunrise. But I am told that NOCA typically fly in low light conditions, so we have adjusted the fence to turn off at 4:30, well before dawn, at first grey light. (And we're putting plastic caps on the metal screws holding the insulators in place.) Diane Seward Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 14:05:01 -0500 At 01:57 PM 7/18/01 -0400, you wrote: For a long time, the ONLY fence containing my horses was electrified, and my cross-fencing is still electrified -- plastic electrified tape on top (with tiny wires to conduct current) and three high-tensile wires, two of which are also "hot", with the other tied to ground. I use a high voltage, low amperage charger, which pulses. It is "hot" enough that the horses never touch it a second time, and I know ranchers that keep cattle contained with this system. Yet because of the pulse and the low amperage, horses, cows, dogs and humans (including yours truly) which touch it briefly are not harmed. I have used this fencing for over 10 years, and so far the only bird fatality I ever had was a cattle egret that tried to go under the bottom (hot) wire. Many critters trying to duck through the fence have been successful between pulses, but this one was unlucky. The posts on the perimeter fence are ironwood (a self insulating wood from Australia). I also use a two-tape temporary system (if you consider 6 years temporary!) on metal T-posts. However, in this case all the insulators are plastic and snap on to the posts. In theory a bird could be sitting on the tape (which they do) and lean over somehow to touch the metal post, but this has never happened that I'm aware of. In fact my most productive bluebird nestbox is in the corner of the barnyard area, about 2 feet from the wire on 2 sides, and I consider it an excellent protection from such things as cats and racoons. The birds sit on the 5x5 wooden corner post and watch over their nestbox, or smack the insects around before bringing them to the babies. I have also observed birds sitting on top of the plastic cap on the top of the T-posts or on the tape itself. Part of my luck may stem from the lack of metal components on my insulators. There are a lot of snap-on plastic insulators, and there are also fiberglass step-in poles which might work well around a garden. I have used them as well for true temporary fencing for the horses and they usually have multiple slots/grooves for a variety of wire/tape positions. You might also consider the plastic insulators with stick well out from the posts, so a bird sitting on the wire would be unlikely to contact the post. Hope this helps. Kate Oschwald Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 15:34:39 -0500 I had a Carolina Wren electrocuted on my fence last summer. A neighbor had an electric fence alongside a small stream and that killed more than one Great Blue Heron before he moved it. Bill To the list for comment, Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 23:08:43 EDT Regarding electrified fences, has anyone else had bluebird or other songbird fatalities from such a fence? The majority of my fencing is electrified--plastic tape with wires. However, the tape runs through posts which are either plastic, fiberglass, or plastic-coated on top. A bird would have a real stretch to reach both wire/tape and metal. I do have some stretches along stone walls, in fairly dense tree cover and/or brush, where the plastic insulators are nailed into wooden posts or trees-- conceivably a bird might touch both wire and nail, but unlikely since that's not a favored perching area. Our bluebirds use the electric fence posts very commonly; occasionally the wire/tape too. I've also seen robins, assorted sparrows (never can tell them apart at a distance), goldfinches, phoebes... Rhonda Watts Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 22:17:54 -0700 Okay - so I sat on the fence and "watched" and now have decided to once again jump into the fray... Sherry here in Osoyoos, BC about 3 miles north of the border with Washington State Our Western and Mountain Blues have 2 nestings a year on a regular basis. Often if they get an early spring start 3 is quite possible. So far mine are on their second nesting. Like some of you, I have 2 pairs that use one box for the first nesting then use the paired box for the second or move to another nestbox close by. This has also happened on our TBT at the Desert Centre this year. I have 5 Western babies right now in the nestbox off the patio. Had 3 children here today from Quebec who were absolutely thrilled to hold a baby bluebird in their hands. Life is a wonderful experience if you keep your mind open and plan to learn at least one new thing every day.... enjoying this with the children made my day. I have an electirc fence around my beeyard just about 150 feet from the house. I have never had a bird eletrocuted nor seen any lying on the ground around the perimeter. The fence is to keep out the bears and it has been effective. I also have a large variety of birds of prey - golden and bald eagles, kestrels, 4 owl species, and numerous hawk species. I have not seen them take a small bird during the nesting season. I have them around on a regular basis throughout the winter when they feed on California Quail quite often. In the fall I have had the small raptors take a few songbirds - finches or sparrow varieties (I do not have house sparrows). The predator I have to watch for - snakes. Keep up the posts and hello to all I met in Ohio....it was fun at the NABS conference and I hope we'll see you here next year! Sherry Linn |
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