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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • JANUARY 2017


Starling control program renewed in Okanagan Cost-shared program destroyed over 35,000 birds in 2016 to protect agriculture crops


by TERRY FRIES


SUMMERLAND – When Tom Dellameter heads to work every morning, it’s what he doesn’t see that most impresses him.


This past summer, the massive flocks of starlings that once darkened skies in some areas of the Okanagan were not as prevalent. “In past years, there were flocks of 5,000 and 6,000 birds, and now we’re seeing 1,000 and 2,000 birds instead,” says Dellameter, trapping supervisor for the starling control program. In 2016, the program has captured and destroyed


35,000-40,000 birds. However, that doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. Dellameter says he travelled up Black Sage Road near Oliver in late October and noticed larger flocks accumulating in areas where fruit remained on the vine. In addition to a later grape harvest, he points to another factor that could be drawing the birds – a now-closed feedlot.


“All of those birds that used to go to the feedlot had to find somewhere else to find food. They’re searching for food so, of course, the grapes are the only thing that is left.” Southern Plus Feedlots in


Oliver, the first-ever trapping site under the starling control program, closed this spring. Dellameter says the


increasing population in the south this fall was


contrary to what they were


finding


earlier this summer. Orchardists and grape growers then told him they weren’t using their


starling abatement measures, such as noise cannons, because it wasn’t worth the expense.


“Now, grape growers are seeing that the flocks have joined up and they’re seeing larger flocks at this time.” Dellameter says the Vernon area was the starling hot spot earlier this year due the large number of dairy barns there.


Birds are attracted to feed grains and calf starter used at the barns, and also by fields of feed corn.


The starling control program


operates only in the


Okanagan and Similkameen through


agreements with regional districts, several


municipalities, the BC


Grapegrowers’ Association, BC Cherry


Association, BC Fruit Growers’ Association and the BC Tree Fruit Co-operative.


Each district contributes $25,000 to the program annually and the remainder is made up by donations from fruit growers and wine growers. The North Okanagan and the Okanagan-


Similkameen regional districts had already approved their


2017 budget for the program earlier in the fall. Central Okanagan followed suit with their approval in December. The commodity groups involved had also expressed their approval for another year.


Dellameter says they could expand the program to other areas if they had additional funding.


Good intentions


The European starling was introduced in North America in 1890 by a group in New York City that sought to bring in all birds featured in Shakespeare’s plays. More were imported later to help control grasshoppers. Starlings have since become one of the most widespread birds in North America. As well as causing an estimated $800 million in damage per year across North American by eating tree fruits, grapes and berries, starlings can also spread disease, such as salmonellosis and Johne’s Disease.


For the Okanagan- Similkameen, the annual damage estimate is more than $4 million.


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while adapting to climate change (2015-2018) a. Identify corn hybrids and winter annual species which will stabilize and increase overall crop yield and quality/ha of land; winter crops amenable to a range of planting/harvesting dates.


b. Judicious use of irrigation that is both profitable and sustainable


Propane cannon noisemakers, electronic distress and reflective tape have been used deter starlings, but the birds quickly adapt to such scare tactics. As well, the noise deterrents can cause conflicts with neighbours.


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