Okanagan starlings culled in district program
The first European starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 by a Shakespeare enthusiast who wanted to introduce every bird mentioned in the bard's works to North America.
For Rod King, who grows grapes in the Naramata region north of Penticton, B.C., the sentiment is less sweet.
"This guy forgot to mention that Shakespeare had written a poem referencing flying rats. I'm pretty sure that he was referencing starlings," he said.
Starlings, which arrived in the Okanagan in the 1950s, are considered one of the worst invasive species by the World Conservation Union.
The tiny birds, which descend in large flocks, feed on soft fruit like grapes, cherries and apples. King said he was losing 10 per cent of his harvest every year to the birds.
"We tried everything. We had three or four propane cannons going all day long. We did try some netting ... [but] it's extremely expensive. We had three people patrolling the vineyard basically all day long everyday," he recounted.
Then, 13 years ago, a starling control program was implemented with immediate results.
"Starlings — what starlings?" joked King.
Starling control program
Connie Bielert manages the starling control program in the Okanagan-Similkameen and said that nearly 700,000 birds have been culled since it started.
Bielert explained the birds are first trapped in "M-traps," then euthanized by gassing. The birds are then sent to rehab centres, falconers or composted.
"We regard the program as being very successful," she said.
Each district in the program — North Okanagan, Okanagan-Similkameen, and Central Okanagan — contributes $25,000, and the remainder is made up by donations from the fruit growers and wine growers.
"The donations come in. That tells us that people who are producing grapes are finding satisfaction in the program," she said.
The program was renewed for a three-year term in 2013, expiring this year.
The North Okanagan and Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Districts have already approved the continuation of the program. The Central Okanagan District is now considering its position.
Opponents of the program have said sometimes species other than starlings are trapped and point to less invasive methods like using a hawk to drive away starlings.
King, however, said the control program has been key in reducing crop damage on his farms.
"It is an irritant but not a major issue nowadays."
The board is expected to discuss the issue further in November.
With files from Daybreak South
To hear the interview, click on the link labelled Central Okanagan wine grower wants to keep invasive starlings in check
