Osprey repellent

[fredn56]

In the past several weeks, our boat has been the picnic table of a local osprey. We have found fish bones, scales, fins, tail, guts, and even a head, as well as excreta.
One night we saw the culprit perched on a mast two boats down at the marina.
On Wednesday, the final insult: a whole fish dropped in the cockpit for leisure dining at a later time.
Any thoughts on osprey blocking?
I am not ready to drop the mast and put up feelers and spikes this year.

[mherrcat]

Try this...
:)

[bayhoss]

Panacea for the unwanted.:egrin:

Best,
Frank

[Chris Glasspool]

Maybe try leaving a radio turned on.
Ospreys are protected in this state (Wash.), and are fun to watch catch fish by swooping down. I haven't heard of them being a nuisance in Lake Chelan.
I've had bears, cougars, coyotes, rattle snakes, etc. in my yard, and honestly, I'ld rather have these near by than people.
If it was me, I would take the five minutes to clean up after them, and forget about it. Treasure those critters! - chris

[Emerald]

Hi Fred,

I completely understand where you're coming from. I had rebuilt 5 teak hatches on a prior boat and spent many hours varnishing them to find one day that a blue heron had decided that the bright shiny teak surfaces were ideal for smashing open and eating his lunch, and then dropping a load before take off. One day, there was literally not 6 inches of clean deck on her that didn't have something on it. I've got old photos of it some place. It was beyond what one would believe possible. I actually looked into if I could eat the critter (if I shot him, I'd have to eat him to feel good about it), but decided that even though it looked like I could (don't think he's protected around here), he'd probably taste like what he ate - no fun there.

So, try hanging pie plates, old CDs or other bright shiny stuff. Go as far as even hanging stuff from your topping lift as well as life lines. It's amazing what a few things suspended will do to create a no fly zone. I know, you're thinking you're boat is going to look like you're channeling crystal power via tin foil, but it'll beat scraping the decks :cool:

[PatTormey]

I've had some luck with the local bird with a JacKite http://www.jackite.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0voXUdrK-nY

They fly in the slightest breeze, hold up well (Tyvek?) and they look good.
I lost mine a a storm last fall and have the replacement on order..

But I used a Peregine Falcon for mine and you might want to find an Eagle or something, they might just attach the thing..It's that real looking

Pat
Ericson 25+ NH USA

[bigd14]

Technically speaking, almost every bird in the US is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (just a few non-native species like European starlings and English sparrows are not included). However, enforcement of said Act is usually limited to egregious violations, like power companies not fixing a situation where their power lines are consistently killing a large number of birds, and usually only after repeated warnings. I have heard of people who have been caught killing eagles being charged under it as well, though.

That said it is extremely frustrating to deal with bird poop. Our last boat was moored in an area that had lots of blackberry bushes nearby. During late summer, we would find the boat covered in purple droppings, which left purple stains when washed off. Eventually it would wear off, but for the month of August the boat would look like it had a case of measles! I put up a small tarp over the boom which kept the worst of the mess out of the cockpit, so that might be an option to keep the fish out!

In addition to the items mentioned previously, there are literally a boatload of other products that could help: http://www.birdbusters.com/, www.bird-x.com (http://www.bird-x.com).
I have heard that a sticky gel works pretty well http://www.bird-x.com/bird-proof-gel-p-35.html but I would want to limit its use to the masthead. I have no idea how often it would need to be applied, or how it might interact with aluminum mast parts. But might be worth a try of the problem continues.

Good luck.

Doug