How do you keep birds from nesting in your anchor locker?

LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
in General Boating Discussions
It's that time of year.  Birds want to make a home inside your anchor locker.  Next thing you know, you're tossing a nest full of eggs into the water, or worse if you wait too long.

Who has a good way to keep them out?  

I just leave my anchor locker open until June 1st.  Others stuff a rag into the opening.  I've tried that too, along with plastic drink bottles and other stuff.  These methods work, but it's a hassle.  Is there a better way?
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Be nifty to machine or 3-D print a custom plastic plug to drop in until nesting time is over. Those fellas set up shop quick by me to nest up. Around here they mostly by ‘accident’ end up in the water. 😬

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Posts: 7,936 mod
    Have a dock neighbor that has a more interesting boat for a home. :smile:   The 310 directly across from me always gets the birds nesting.  They also get all the crap.  Kind of strange.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • WillhoundWillhound Posts: 4,241 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow! Never realized this was a problem. Of course, maybe it's because by the time we usually get our boats unwrapped the birds have already found nesting sites.
    "Knot Quite Shore" - 2000 FV270 (Sold)
    2018 Cherokee 39RL Land Yacht (Sorry...)
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    And yes, I did ask this question five years ago.  Didn't get a real answer then, and I'm hoping for better this time!

    Maybe something with bird tape ... that flappy reflective foil, normally used to scare woodpeckers.  Anybody tried it?
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  • IanIan Posts: 3,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They say dryer sheets help with bugs, tried it for the birds?

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • mattiemattie Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭✭
    Maybe just wad up some chicken wire on each side?


    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
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  • PickleRickPickleRick Posts: 4,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Have you tried putting rubber realistic snakes around your pulpit?    Or a realistic owl on a post around your dock.  
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    An owl might work, but there's no good place to mount it.  
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  • aero3113aero3113 Posts: 9,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If you have an external speaker to use, find out what sound will keep them away.
    2008 330EC
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Posts: 7,936 mod
    LaRea said:
    An owl might work, but there's no good place to mount it.  
    I've seen a couple owls in my marina.  Some use fishing line or something with velcro and hang on bow rail.  It seems to work, they say.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • YYZRCYYZRC Posts: 5,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2020
    Cut the bottom off the owl and slide it over your spotlight. Then for added effect, rotate the spotlight every so often!!
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • aero3113aero3113 Posts: 9,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
    YYZRC said:
    Cut the bottom off the owl and slide it over your spotlight. Then for added effect, rotate the spotlight every so often!!
    LoL!
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    For solutions where I have to remove something before getting underway, it's easier just to leave the anchor locker open.  And it's 100% effective (until I forget).  
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Posts: 5,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think you could leave the owl in place on the spotlight!  B)
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    It would also prevent the approach of other beings, including the Admiral.  
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Posts: 5,437 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I haven't met your Admiral but for some that might be a benefit...
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have to fix everything for you dumb boaters LOL
    Google: Bird Spikes. 
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    Bird spikes are your worst suggestion ever!  Metal ones would be dangerous to bare feet.  Plastic would be dangerous plus fragile!  But I still love you.  Try again.  
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Try again. They go inside the locker. They are stainless
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  • PickleRickPickleRick Posts: 4,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2020
    i keep them for the rodents but they get way more birds unfortunately.

    This is little Rick, our newest member.  Goes in for a neuter the moment he reaches 8 weeks old.  

    Right now he kills june bugs, bees and moths.
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    Yup, that would do it!
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    Had to toss out another nest. Two weeks after the last one. It isnt pretty but we will see how it works. I made it out of 1/4 starboard.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • IanIan Posts: 3,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good idea.

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭✭
    Pretty ingenious solution.
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  • aero3113aero3113 Posts: 9,798 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like it should work, just remember to remove it before you drop anchor!
    2008 330EC
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Posts: 1,431 ✭✭✭✭
    Yep. Thought about that. I know i am gonna Forget so i held on to the cardboard i used as a template. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • TonyG13TonyG13 Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭✭
    davidbrooks said:
    Yep. Thought about that. I know i am gonna Forget so i held on to the cardboard i used as a template. 
    What about a thin cable leash. Just drop it in the well when you're using the windlass. Shouldn't get in the way. But you would need to put a screw in the hull.
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,068 mod
    Well, that will definitely keep the birds out!  But I'm not sure it meets the hands-off requirement ...
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  • IanIan Posts: 3,062 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2020
    I never just se the windlass to secure the anchor, up or down so if you do, thats a no no according to Lewmar. But if you are concerned about breaking it off, make checking it is open and closed as part of your start up and shutdown checks.

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • WillhoundWillhound Posts: 4,241 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wonder if you could make something more permanent out of a heavy rubber material like Linatex or some such like a flap with a hole just large enough for the rode. 
    "Knot Quite Shore" - 2000 FV270 (Sold)
    2018 Cherokee 39RL Land Yacht (Sorry...)
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