Subject: [Tweeters] New can of worms being opened - who knows about bird
Date: Dec 13 09:50:21 2007
From: Brett Wolfe - m_lincolnii at yahoo.com


Hi tweets,

I work for a state governmental agency, one that I just found out uses lasers to dissuade birds from roosting there.

Now, I did a GIS and came up with the following info: http://www.pestcontrol-products.com/avian.htm , including this bit:
Non - lethal, non harmful bird control:
Part of the testing the National Wildlife Research Center conducted was the effect of high powered, 650nm wavelength, lasers on the birds targeted - their findings showed no physical harm to the birds or their vision systems even after many hours of uninterrupted exposure. Since the birds' eyes are coated with a film, or oils depending on species, to protect them from the UV rays of the sun, they appear to have a natural vision defense against the beam generated by the laser. Although mostly night-flying birds were a part of testing, this natural defense appears to also apply with diurnal birds or birds who are normally active in the day time.

Since all of this information comes from the manufacturer, with buy-off from an always suspect government, I wanted to find out if any of the professors, professionals and/or environmentalists who utilize this listserv know anymore about these type of dissuaders? I am one of the acknowledged "bird experts" at my work, but this is something I know little about, so I am attempting to educate meself. What I can find makes these lasers seem fairly innocuous, so I am withholding further personal judgment until I hear from some others folks on this issue.

Thanks in advance to any and all interested parties. If this is like opening a dreaded cat thread, my apologies, as that is not my intent. I just want to learn about this issue. Cheers, and good birding!

Brett A. Wolfe
Seattle, WA
m_lincolnii at yahoo.com


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