Noisemaking Device on West Campus to Protect Research from Crows

UC Davis will begin using a non-lethal noisemaking machine to drive crows away from fields on the west side of campus beginning January 1, 2025. Large numbers of crows that like to roost in the area and search for food and seeds in the fallow fields are damaging several strawberry research projects led by the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program in the fields near Olive Tree Drive and Hutchison Drive.

The noisemaker, which sounds like a muffled blast, will operate as needed between 7-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., daily, including weekends, until January 20, 2025.

Noisemakers are the most effective and non-lethal way to deter wild birds from damaging important research projects that lead to new scientific discoveries and, in the case of the Strawberry Breeding Program, new strawberry varieties. The devices are widely used in commercial agriculture and in the area and were used by the campus last year for this same purpose after causing thousands of dollars in damages and the year before to deter migrating geese from damaging small-grains research. This year, we are taking preventative action to protect our research projects.

UC Davis officials considered the environmental impact of the device, compared other potential options for deterrence, consulted with wildlife experts on campus and decided that this temporary measure, during daytime periods, is the best option to safely and effectively advance the research.