Monday, May 23, 2011

Bird Scarers and Old Age

Martinborough is a very special place to live but it does have some "special characteristics*" - it makes living here a little more like living in an industrial zone, rather than a rural zone. I have heard it described as like living in a war zone! People move here forgetting that much of what gives it the special character is the growing of grapes and olives. At the moment, the olives are almost ripe and there are birds everywhere. Our neighbour is protecting his crop (he doesn't have 7 cats like we do) and while we (the humans) understand, Jack our elderly Border Collie doesn't. The bird scarer goes off three times about every 20 minutes.

This is what it sounds like, with Jack's reaction to it.
Boom - woof woof (in his very deep voice)
Boom - woof woof woof woof (in his very deep voice)
Boom - woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof (in his very deep voice). He is reassured that it is OK and he settles down. I guess he must be getting old and forgetful though, because 20 minutes later it is
Boom - woof woof (in his very deep voice)
Boom - woof woof woof woof (in his very deep voice)
Boom - woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof (in his very deep voice) all over again. Poor old dog. It won't be long until the olives are picked, and all will be peaceful in his world again.

* From the SWDC web site:
Noise levels associated with permitted or consented rural land uses such as: frost
protection machines, bird scaring devices, orchard sprayers, use of working dogs, aircraft
for rural management and farm machinery will, in the majority of situations, not be
considered as excessive

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