GWSDF Archives - Laser Fence

21
Sep 18
0

Field visit during Scotland SCM

Tags : Bird Control Group GWSDF Laser Scotland

Today all participants visited the Game and Wildlife Scottish Demonstration Farm at Aboyne to see the laser setup and view the new coloured lasers prepared by BCG. These new handhelds with other spectrum colours will be tested the coming months by the Scottish team mainly on rabbits and later sent to the demo areas in Spain to be tested with other type of animals.

In one of the pictures the evidence of incredible damage these unchecked rabbit populations can do to the structure and ultimately the stability of the terrain.

21
Feb 18
0

LIFE LaserFence Project – the focus on rats!

Tags : GWSDF Implementation Scotland UK

By Dave Parish, GWCT Head of Scottish Lowland Research

The LIFE funded Laser Fence project is testing a novel laser system for potential use as a deterrent for pest species of mammals. This is based on the existing laser which is manufactured by Bird Control Group as a bird scaring device, for which it is very effective. This currently offers managers a non-lethal, automated means of keeping pest birds away from vulnerable crops, or potentially dangerous areas such as runways, but is untested on mammals.

Rats feeding at one of the bait sites, prior to LaserFence deployment

At the Game and Wildlife Scottish Demonstration Farm, we have been designing trials to look at a number of species to the LaserFence system, including rabbits, deer and predatory species, but we are now in a position to formally test this on rats. This is a key species for the project because there is a push to reduce rodenticide use across Europe, so if LaserFence can deter rats from designated areas, it may offer an alternative to poisons in some circumstances. This in turn could help reduce accidental poisoning of non-target species and contamination of the food-chain, which can then harm predatory species.

The site for LaserFence trials on rats at GWSDF. A solar panel, which powers the device via a battery, can be seen in the foreground

These trials will be conducted within two disused buildings which have been fenced-off to keep people out, but which are being used by the local rats. We have been monitoring small piles of grain for a couple of weeks now to quantify rat activity in these areas and will shortly be turning the lasers on. If they work, we hope to record a significant drop in activity within the buildings.

29
Nov 17
1

Notice boards for dissemination of Laser Fence

Tags : Aboyne Bird Control Group CUARTEROLA CUCANOCHE Germany GWSDF IRIS LJMU Malpas Scotland Spain UK Volterra Wölferlingen

Volterra has designed the notice boards which are a valuable tool to disseminate information about the project to indirect stakeholders and the wider public.

At five of the six trial sites the partners have placed a notice board with a description of the project in Spanish and English. Additionally, two project partners have placed a smaller sized copy (A3) of the notice board at their office in their respective working languages.

A pdf version of the notice boards is available through our download section.

Below you can see the installation of notice boards at our partners´ facilities and trial sites.

Fig.1 : Small notice board at Volterra’s facilities.

Fig.2 : Small notice board at IRIS’ facilities.

Fig.3 : Notice board at Cucanoche

Fig.4 : Notice board at Cuarterola

Fig.5 : Notice board at Aboyne

Fig.6 : Notice board at Wölferlingen.

Fig.7 : Notice board at Malpas.

17
Nov 17
0

Steering committee meeting in Cuarterola

Tags : Bird Control Group CUARTEROLA Grupo Camacho GWSDF IRIS LJMU Spain Volterra

On November 14^th and 15^th, the project partners met at the Cuarterola estate, owned by Ángel Camacho Group to evaluate the development of the project. During these days, the status of the different LIFE actions was examined, specially the preparation and implementation actions, in the presence of the EU monitoring officer, Neil Wilkie. The obstacles faced by the project were also addressed and the financial details of Laser Fence were discussed. Project members unable to attend in person also participated in the meeting via Skype.

Finally, several visits to the Ángel Camacho Group were conducted to see the lasers which are installed there, and the products offered by the Group were tasted. The partners thank the Ángel Camacho Group for the excellent organization of the event.