The birds have discovered the wine grapes. Every time I walked under the arbor a little flurry of rising wings could be heard. The pea hens are residing in the peacock penthouse because last year they ate a third of my crop and now the sparrows are taking advantage. Serious measures had to be taken.
So I have brought in reinforcements.
Sundog uses these stern fellows to keep the birds off her blackberries. TonTon actually growled at them.
After the dogs had given them warnings about farmy behaviour, I filled the Glaring Owls bellies with dirt and sat them on the poles that support the grape vines.
The change was instant. The sparrows, steered clear and the starlings gave them a wide birth. Immediately. Frankly I would too. These guys are not mucking around.
The instructions say: Only put the owls out when it is time to scare away the birds and move them frequently so the grape thieves do not get used to them. After the harvest put them back in the box ’til next year. They are 18 inches (48cm) high and look stunning out in the gardens.
Impressive aren’t they. Their heads bob about in the slight breeze, turning on their shoulders like feathered brooding back up singers borrowed from the Exorcist’s Green Room.
Good morning. How are you all this morning? The sun has not yet risen into my hazy cloudy sky. Another glorious hot day is forecast. Of course now that the hay is cut, the best hay, threats of showers and thunderstorms have crept into the forecast. Friday and Saturday will be dicey. So the tension has been cranked up a level.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
your friend on the farm, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
65 responses to “The Bobble Headed Owls have come. Be afraid. Be very afraid!”
Boo’s expression is priceless. Perhaps the owls need to guard your gumboots?
If the dogs were that uneasy about them, no wonder the sparrows scrammed at speed! Lovely solution.
I need one of those for my office.
You Do!! c
Scary looking owls!! They’re surprisingly realistic!
Bravo for the Bubble heads! They are somewhere between majestic and creepy! Fingers crossed for the hay harvest.
Ha, I meant Bobble heads!
These bobble heads are the most realistic I’ve ever seen! They’re great and I hope they do the trick! You go to so much effort to protect your crop potential all winter long–and then when it’s time to reap your reward the birdies want to steal it! Since you don’t have time to read “The Little Red Hen” to them, I think the owls are a good deterrent!
Ooh they’re a bit fabulous aren’t they?!
Good morning Celi; fantastic owls aren’t they? i’m glad that worked for you 🙂 I fell while loading hay on the twenty-seventh I had to let go of the rest to the rain… (blew out my knee) Missy has not killed my yet . 🙂 she has been taking me to hospital last two days. not a good time . be blessing mike
What terrible news, I hope the girls are able to fill in for you because it is important to give this kind of injury time to heal. really wish i could help, even driving back and forth from the hospital and all that entails must be maddening. Take it easy now. I think you must have enough hay in by now.. Hopefully.. Poor you, what an absolute bore that is… c
Love the owls. What great additions to the Farmy, Celi. And to think, no need to feed or water them, no matter how hot/cold it gets. Priceless reactions of your two dogs. I saw there was rain in the forecast but the latest have dropped it. I hope your forecast changes, as well, at least until you get that hay put away. I hope you’re having a great evening.
Friday has gone back to 10% and the showers on saturday have turned into scattered thunderstorms, there is hope yet!! c
Oh Celi: how great to begin my working day unable to stop laughing! Have seen scarecrows of all kinds thru’ my lifetime but these must be the loveliest looking ones: almost sculptural enough to be permanent decorations. But the looks on Boo’s and Ton’s faces are unreal 🙂 ! OK, Boo had not seen those shiny eyes before, but Ton should have remembered from last year!! . . . . . And I am praying to the Raingod to be sensible, I am!
Yes that RainGod better be kind or i am going to feel PICKED ON! Poor doggies, such entertainment they are! c
How clever, whoever invented these owls. They look like such fierce guardians. Good luck with protecting the grape.
So thats owl moving added to your long list of farmy jobs, Celi! Interestingly, that is the second time I have seen an owl in a week. Though why he would be here I have no idea: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kateshrewsday/9628000282/
Great idea, those things can even scare humans with a little lighting effect at night
The bobble headed owls do look scary with their glowering look but paradoxically they also look stunning atop the vines. Good to hear they are effective. 😉