Nets on, birds out-Pippa learns quickly!
While the bird pressure was not too great at the time, there is a “rule of thumb” here at the vineyard, once veraison (fruit softening/colouring) first commences, nets must go on. If not, the pesky Silvereyeand native parrotts don’t take long to work out that grapes are on the menu unprotected. The damage they can do is immense and result in the spoilage of a year’s work in just a few days.
For those of you who follow this Blog and have no idea how nets are put on and taken off vines, here are a few snaps to show what is involved.
The process is slow, hard work and is most difficult if the weather is hot. Thankfully on the day in question this year, it was cool and cloudy. Strong winds can play havoc as well, so calm days are best.
To the front of this machine is a tractor. The roll of net comes of a roll and is fed up through a series of increasing “spreaders” so the net can be pulled out to cover the number of rows in question.
On each side an operator ensures the net is sufficient to reach the ground, leaving enough to clip to say the irrigation wire.
The opposite side to the pic above, again showing enough net to not allow birds to get under by walking on the ground.
These two pics show how it looks on completion. With say 15 metre wide nets, up to three or even four rows of vines can be covered with one net for a distance of either 100 or 150 metres.
Once on they all have to be clipped down and then checked every four or five days to ensure no stray birds have found a way in. The first check revealed four parrots had entered causing Pippa to go balistic trying to get in and chase them.
Once the net at the end of the rows was lifted and she was told to go in, well the speed of the ” wonder dog” was on display. One chase and they were eliminated. Actually, I lie, two were caught and had to be saved from her jaws A few feathers were lost, they were released and able to fly away. All ended well.
Must get back on bird watch!!
Vineman