Jim Peace Posted May 10, 2016 Report Posted May 10, 2016 Parking outside at Caldwell NJ and this is the first time I ever saw bird crap on or near my plane....I did not take pictures of the tail as I was so disgusted. this is what is looks like just near the step.... I have nesting material in the fairings as well......... What do you guys use? Owls or silver streamers? Pictures of what it looks like and how you mounted.....
eman1200 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Posted May 10, 2016 at least yours is on the outside.......201er got that on the inside! 3
bradp Posted May 10, 2016 Report Posted May 10, 2016 When I was outside at OWD I would put some fake toy snakes on the elevators, and I made miniature cowl plug type things with neon duct tape and the foam pipe insulation that you can get in the aviation aisle at your local big box home improvement store. Made "plugs" to fit the fairings so no critters would crawl in and make a home. Worked well Might recommend a tail cover from Bruce's to protect the attach points for your empennage control surfaces. That it prime real estate for birds. Don't park in or near grassy areas if you can help it. Not even paved with wheels on pavement and the tail sticking over the grass. That invites critters. Ground critters don't like hanging out in open spaces like the middle of the ramp where there are few hiding spots.
Jim Peace Posted May 11, 2016 Author Report Posted May 11, 2016 Found nest in tail with eggs. Also found nest in the equipment bay. They were getting in from the big hole left by the step being out.
KSMooniac Posted May 11, 2016 Report Posted May 11, 2016 Looks like starling handiwork. They're an invasive species and are legal to kill by any means necessary! Stomp those eggs and throw away the material. They'll get in any opening, and build a nest in under a day so you need to seal up your openings. They are not deterred by snakes, owls, shiny things, noise makers, etc. I tried everything in my old hangar to no avail. If you want to harvest some of them and like making things, look up a "repeating nest box trap" design and think about installing it at your airport. I was going to build one last year, but finally got to upgrade hangars and now I don't have them inside.
Marauder Posted May 11, 2016 Report Posted May 11, 2016 57 minutes ago, Jim Peace said: Found nest in tail with eggs. Also found nest in the equipment bay. They were getting in from the big hole left by the step being out. Looks like you have enough for an omelet. When I travel in the Spring and expect to stay overnight, I carry a bag of foam and fill every nook and cranny. 1
DXB Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 14 hours ago, Jim Peace said: Found nest in tail with eggs. Also found nest in the equipment bay. They were getting in from the big hole left by the step being out. If one removes the step, which I have considered, is there a preferred way to seal the hole that is secure, but easily reversible? Seems like that can let in lots of undesirables and ruin important stuff back there.
co2bruce Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 14 hours ago, Jim Peace said: Found nest in tail with eggs. Also found nest in the equipment bay. They were getting in from the big hole left by the step being out. Free breakfast!
Marauder Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 14 hours ago, Jim Peace said: Found nest in tail with eggs. Also found nest in the equipment bay. They were getting in from the big hole left by the step being out. If one removes the step, which I have considered, is there a preferred way to seal the hole that is secure, but easily reversible? Seems like that can let in lots of undesirables and ruin important stuff back there. Dev -- mine has a piece of real duct tape. Not the cloth stuff, the one that is made of metal and is used to seal heating/cooling ducts. This stuff: http://www.lowes.com/pd_225505-98-3381___?productId=4009603&pl=1&Ntt=metal+duct+tape 1
DXB Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 48 minutes ago, Marauder said: Dev -- mine has a piece of real duct tape. Not the cloth stuff, the one that is made of metal and is used to seal heating/cooling ducts. This stuff: http://www.lowes.com/pd_225505-98-3381___?productId=4009603&pl=1&Ntt=metal+duct+tape Sounds perfect thanks! 1
Browncbr1 Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 hang these streamers around your plane... I keep a little on my hat rack and it's easy to tape on the VOR antenna when stopping over somewhere. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=24985236&KPID=17059742&pla=pla_17059742
201er Posted May 12, 2016 Report Posted May 12, 2016 On May 10, 2016 at 4:42 PM, Jim Peace said: Parking outside at Caldwell NJ and this is the first time I ever saw bird crap on or near my plane....I did not take pictures of the tail as I was so disgusted. this is what is looks like just near the step.... I have nesting material in the fairings as well......... What do you guys use? Owls or silver streamers? Pictures of what it looks like and how you mounted..... Sue says it's cause they trimmed the hedge at Caldwell.
Jim Peace Posted May 12, 2016 Author Report Posted May 12, 2016 Just now, 201er said: Sue says it's cause they trimmed the hedge at Caldwell. I have no idea why....but that sounds reasonable...... my plane is in for mx now.....at least when it will be done the weather will suck for a week..........I don't know how you live here in the northeast full time.....seems like you only get about 50% of good flying weather days and then when you filter out your time available it only leaves about 100 flying days a year.....maybe only 15 good weekends a year...
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