Bird protection or disturbance of disturbance? The fight against Stare in Rheinhessen

Bird protection or disturbance of disturbance? The fight against Stare in Rheinhessen

The vineyard shut has started in Rheinhessen, and for the next four weeks there will be shots in the vineyards. The reason for this noise is the uninvited guests who appear in large numbers during the ripening of the grapes: the starlings. These birds, which occur in huge raves, can cause considerable damage to the grapes within a very short time.

The region's winemakers have to struggle with a serious problem, since Stare not only eat the grapes, but also damage the berries with their claws. This means that insects and mushrooms can penetrate more easily, which endangers the quality and enjoyable harvest of the grapes. There are often hundreds of thousands of stars that can penetrate the vineyards together and cause massive damage.

Effective solution against the Stare

To protect the grapes, the winemakers tried various methods. While some of them use networks to keep the birds away, this is by no means the optimal solution. The effort is high and many ripe berries fall off when the networks are removed. This explains, for example, the Fuchs winery in Flörsheim-Dahlsheim, which emphasizes that nets are classified as an emergency solution. This procedure can therefore only be practical in small vineyards.

Therefore, many winemakers rely on a more effective and uncomplicated method: the use of gunshot noises. Progressive firing systems are used these days. Where Winger shooters used to be patrolled by the vineyards, it is now automated systems that generate noise.

In Rheinhessen, these shot facilities are now widespread. They work either via radio control or with the help of timer, which trigger the noises at preprogrammed times. For example in Hillesheim, where the shots are coordinated by a station on a cemetery chapel and combine all surrounding winegrowers. This special coordination ensures that the starlings are not used to the noises too quickly.

residents perceive noise as disturbing

Despite this practical decision, residents repeatedly comment on complaints about the disturbing noise. For them, summer is a time of calm and the shots disturb the idyll. In view of these symptoms, some winemakers have considered alternative methods. In Nackenheim, for example, winemakers rely on the sound of birds of prey, which is transmitted via loudspeakers. This method is supposed to keep the stars away without bothering the neighbors.

This procedure not only has a practical component, but also creates a special atmosphere in the vineyards. For the wine harvest, it sounds a bit like in a bird park when the bird of birds and the twittering of the loudspeakers penetrate.

The vineyard shut in Rheinhessen is an annual act full of challenges for the winegrowers. Dealing with patrons is a tradition that shows how important it is to combine traditional methods with modern technologies. These efforts are crucial in order to secure the quality of the wine products not only for the current vintage, but also for the future reputation of the wine region.

The balancing act between tradition and innovation

The debate about the methods of bird defense in the vineyards reflects the narrow ridge that winners go between tradition and the requirements of modern agriculture. How can you protect your grapes and at the same time meet your neighbors' needs? This is a question that will continue to be discussed in the future, especially if wine production and methods to protect the harvests are further developed. Innovation could be the answer to take old traditions into account while a harmonious neighborhood is maintained.

background of the vineyard shut

The vineyard shut has a long tradition in the viticultural culture of Rheinhessen. In the region, which is known for its high -quality wines, winegrowers can suffer significant financial loss due to the harvest losses due to bird damage. In recent years, the stress has increased from stars and other bird species, which leads to the need for these protective measures. Another factor is the increase in ecological cultivation processes that allow fewer chemical sprays. This means that the winemakers are increasingly dependent on physical protective mechanisms such as the vineyard.

The adjustments in the winegrowing practices are not only due to the growing bird population, but also to a global climate change that influences the pests and thus also the food source for birds. The mildness of the weather ripens the grapes earlier, which means that birds specifically visit the vineyards before the winemakers can get their harvest.

Alternative methods for bird defense

In addition to the traditional methods of bird defense, winemakers have also developed innovative techniques to protect their grapes. Some use visual deterrence, such as colorful ligaments or reflective elements that irritate the birds. These methods require less noise and are often less invasive for the environment.

Some winemakers also rely on biological control by installing nesting boxes for predatory birds. This method is intended to attract natural enemies of the starlings, which then help to regulate the bird population in the region. Such biological approaches gain popularity, since they are also in harmony with the principles of sustainable viticulture and less strain on the environment.

legal regulations and nature conservation

The hunt for stars in Germany is strictly regulated in Germany. Stare enjoy protection to protect biodiversity. This leads to challenges for the winemakers who have to find the balance between the protection of their cultures and the legal requirements. The legal provisions vary, and in some regions it is allowed to use pruning with little noise, while in other days the use of shear weapons is strictly regulated.

In 2023, the discussion about the influence of Staren and other birds was revived on viticulture. Some winemakers demand more flexible regulations to enable more comprehensive bird defense measures. At the same time, the protection of birds is crucial to preserve ecological balance. Many conservationists emphasize the importance of finding a sustainable solution that takes into account both the interests of the winemakers and the protection of the bird population.