^ 2 . 



BIRD DA^tAGE TO MASSACHUSETTS CULTIVATED BLUEBERRY AND PEACH CROPS 1960 



A bird control project pertaining to agricultural crop damage is in 

 progress at the Massachusetts Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst, 

 Massachusetts. 



In conjunction with this project, data of cultivated blueberry and peach 

 losses incurred by birds have been collected. Questionnaires were sent to all 

 commercial peach and cultivated blueberry growers in Massachusetts requesting 

 information concerning total acreage planted, estimated loss of 1960 crop by 

 songbirds and blackbirds, and control measures used. Forty-one per cent of the 

 questionnaires were returned. 



Table I gives the loss of cultivated blueberries and peaches by birds in 

 Massachusetts during 1960. Individual growers varied greatly in estimated per- 

 centages lost. Several reported no loss while others reported total loss of 

 their crop. Nearly all damage to peaches was to early varieties. Observations 

 indicated that Baltimore orioles were causing most of this damage. Later vari- 

 eties escaped excessive damage because this species had begun to migrate. 



Table I - Loss of Cultivated Blueberries and Peaches by Bird Damage in Massachusetts in 1960 



as Determined From Questionnaires 



Total Acreage 

 Lost Due to Birds % Acreage 7. Acreage 

 Tot. Acreage Tot. Acreage Blackbird Songbird Lost Due to Lost Due to 

 Reported Lost Loss Loss Blackbirds Songbirds Value Lost 



Blueberries 

 Peaches ^ 



(1) 



310 

 150 



84.4 

 12.9 



46,0 

 2.6 



38.4 

 10.3 



54.5 

 20.1 



45.5 $84,400^-'^ 

 79,9 $22,640^^^ 



(1) based on 53 returned questionnaires 



(2) based on 15 returned questionnaires 



(3) based on $1000/acre 



(4) based on $4/bushel, 4 bushels/tree and 100 trees/acre 



Table II shows the estimated effectiveness by fruit growers, of deterrents 

 utilized in Massachusetts against birds as determined from questionnaires per- 

 taining to the 1960 season. Data indicates that except for Protect-0-Net, few 

 devices used were successful. Apparently a large number of individuals use no 

 deterrent even though these growers sustained a loss. 



Table II - Estimated Effectiveness, by Fruit Growers, of Deterrents Utilized in 

 Massachusetts Against Birds as Determined from Questionnaires (1960) 



■-Richard N, Smith 



