New weapon in winegrowers' war against birds

Security technician John Crampton has developed a "Bird Fazer" to help Marlborough winegrowers win the war against birds.

The device uses a computerised microchip to emit more than 200 sounds through horn speakers.

It plays sounds ranging from everyday noises such as motorbike and car engines to orchestral music and whale sounds.

"Because there is no repetition the birds can't get used to the sound," he said.

Directional speakers limited the amount of sound escaping from the vineyard. Neil Litchfield, a vineyard owner who tested the system last year, said he was delighted.

"Two or three days after it was installed all the birds virtually disappeared."