Tailing ponds, also
called mine dumps,
oil sands, culm dumps, tails, leach residue, and retention ponds form as part of the
process when materials are separated from valuable minerals and ore. Tailing
dams are often
the most significant
environmental liability for a mining project. Oil
sands producers are often fined millions of dollars when their tailing
waste kills migratory birds. But when responsible mining companies operate tailing ponds, they often incorporate the cost of rehabilitation,
which includes installing or setting up bird deterrents to help prevent
migratory bird kills.
What
impact or considerations does tailing ponds have on Migratory birds?
The
destructive impact the tar sands industry has had on land/forest globally has
resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of birds, including protected
migratory birds. Preventing Tailing pond
bird kills, including waterfowl, ducks, Sage Grouse and 100’s of other bird
species, is good for the environment.
How
do you stop Tailing Pond Bird Kills?
Traditionally
energy companies have installed Bird Netting over oil ponds and/or employed high tech audio bird scare devices like the Zon Gun Mark IV propane cannons stationed around the perimeter. Both of these systems can
be effective, but have their drawbacks.
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| 4" Bird Netting over contamination Pond |
Bird
Netting is often used over contamination ponds, but is labor intensive and can
be very expensive. Moreover, the netting and perimeter support system must be
installed correctly to accommodate the heavy ice / snow loads that is typical
of tailing pond locations. If you choose to install Bird Netting, it needs to
be installed by a professional bird control company with experience installing
Netting over tailing ponds.
Audio Bird Deterrents:
The Zon Gun Mark 4 Propane Cannons can also
help keep birds away with their loud booming blasts. Zon Gun Bird Scare Cannon's are often used at
airports, agricultural farms and mine dumps. When using Zon Gun Mark 4 Cannons
make sure you mount them on tripods with timers to increase coverage and
effectiveness. The Zon Gun Bird Scare Cannons should also occasionally be moved and have the timing of the blasts randomized to avoid habituation to the predictable cannon sound.
Bird Wailer is highly
effective at Preventing Tailing Pond Bird Kills
 |
| The Wetlands Bird Wailer |
The Phoenix Agritech Wetlands Bird Wailer has been used successfully to prevent migratory bird kills
at tailing ponds, oil sands, and retention ponds in Canada, United States and
around the world.
The Bird Wailer is the most advanced audio bird deterrent in
the world and is very successful at preventing migratory kills birds and
frightening away wildlife such as coyotes. The key to the Bird Wailer’s high
success rate is its geographic / species-specific alarm / distress sounds and
indigenous predator calls which are broadcast on a high-end audio system.
This
system utilizes a sweeping rotational surround sound system. The Bird Wailer
distress calls are sent out at randomized intervals and varying lengths of
time, which lessons the chance of habituation to the
same sounds and eliminates human labor.
The Bird Wailers' super speakers will also redirect flocks of birds up to
3000’ feet, thereby preventing them from flying over and being tempted to land
in the pond. Major corporations such as Conoco Phillips have successfully used
the Bird Wailer for years to stop bird kills. The Bird Wailer bird deterrent is
highly effective, proven and saves tens of thousands of dollars on product,
installation and maintenance costs.
“I would like to inform you that we
have been very pleased with the Phoenix Wailer electronic bird deterrent system
we purchased from you three years ago.”
Mike Acker
Environmental Scientist
Phillips 66
Environmental Scientist
Phillips 66
Learn about the Bird Wailer in this video:
Combine
Audio Deterrents with Visual Bird Deterrents
All bird scare products work best when used in combination
with each other, as they increase the bird’s fear and flight response to the
perceived predator threat. While in most cases the Bird Wailer will prevent oil
sand bird kills, it never hurts to incorporate additional bird deterrents. Along with the Bird Wailer we recommend
installing a series of visual bird deterrents above the pond and when possible
floating on the water. If there are
cables or lines above the mine dumps, clip on a Holographic Bird Scare Flash Strip, Holographic Bird Scare Flash Strip, Dead Crow Bird Scare Decoy, Fire Eye Bird
Diverter Device. But don’t use the provided croc clip, instead, use a clip that
can be secured tightly around the cable and be able to withstand high
winds. These same bird deterrents can
also be installed on a life preserver using a Whip Rod Kit to float on the
water. Also to up the confusion level for the birds, as back up, add a couple of Zon Gun Mark 4 Cannon or the Zon Gun Electra Scare Cannon around the perimeter.
* A combination of audio /
visual products should be deployed and re-located as birds react.
Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with
details about your bird problem and we can work with you to
determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from
your property.
1-855-741-3222
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