There are many other types of scarer that are primarily used for scaring birds from farmland, and can be successfully adapted for fisheries. As with the other visual and audible deterrents, these appear to be most effective when moved regularly and used in conjunction with other deterrents.

Bird-scaring kites can be effective and are designed to a shape that is threatening to birds. The basic type is tethered to the ground and flies on an 80m line. However, this will only operate in a wind and, once they land, they stay there until re-launched. To overcome this problem, there is a model tethered to a 13m pole that will re-launch itself when the wind starts blowing. These are relatively inexpensive, costing under £100. Details from:

         Cochranes of Oxford Ltd., Leafield, Witney, Oxon, OX29 9NY
            Tel: 01993 878641
            Web: www.cochranes.co.uk

Another scaring device is the ‘Peaceful Pyramid’. This comprises a rotating reflective pyramid, powered by a small electric motor, that deflects light into the air at the angle of the birds’ approach. It is powered by a 12 volt car battery but automatically switches off in the dark, which gives weeks of running time between battery changes. The device costs just over £100 and is obtainable from:

         Peaceful Pyramid Birdscarers, 36, Hurricane Way, Norwich, NR6 6HU
            Tel: 01603 400440
            Web: www.birdscarers.co.uk

A further option is the ‘Helikite’, a cross between a large helium balloon and a kite, which flies above a pole in the middle of a lake or on an island. The advantage here is that it does not need wind to stay in the air. The contact is Allsopp Helikites, they also supply a number of other wind-powered scaring devices.

         Allsopp Helikites, Southend Farm, Fordingbridge, Hants, SP6 3HW
            Tel: 01752 518750
            Web: www.birdscaring.com

Another option is a wind-powered, constantly revolving scarecrow. These are brightly coloured, human-shaped scarecrows that can be enhanced by the addition of a mirror that flashes as the device revolves. As they are wind operated, there is minimal maintenance and they are relatively inexpensive (£125+). They can be obtained from Phoenix Agritech (UK) Ltd. The same company manufactures a wind-powered, flashing ‘hawkeye’ with mirrors, which is basically a revolving square with huge predator eyes on it.

         Phoenix Agritech (UK) Ltd., Lower Upton, Ludlow, Shrops, SY8 4BB
            Tel: 01584 711701
            Web: www.scaringbirds.com

Model birds of prey are said to scare cormorants, provided they can be made to look lifelike. However, the only native bird in the UK which has the potential to prey on cormorants is the white tailed eagle, so the practicalities of this technique might require some refining! The flying of live birds of prey across bodies of water by a competent falconer is another option although, again, this will be impractical in the majority of cases.