Kiwifruit growers are hoping better bird control techniques will be available next year.
The most common form of control is the use of the chemical repellent Mesurol, which has to be reapplied if there is more than 25 millimetres of rain.

The Bay of Plenty had heavy rainfall during spring and consequently growers had to reapply spray to deter the birds.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated president Peter Ombler says the earlier varieties are more susceptible to bird damage and this is a big concern for growers.

The main culprits are sparrows, finches and rosellas.

'Birds can do real damage, you can lose your whole crop. It's very serious.”

The new varieties of kiwifruit bud earlier; when there is less other food available for birds, says Peter.

Loss of kiwifruit flower buds to birds feeding can be devastating to orchards.

This season Zespri banned the use of alphachloralose, a chemical which can have a fatal effect on birds.

Growers have had to seek alternative methods, including using other chemical deterrents, reducing bird habitat, using bird scarers and overhead netting.

Controlling birds without upsetting the public is difficult, says Peter.

Many growers have been using dead possums nailed to fences to attract hawks and falcons. They work to deter the house sparrows and greenfinches, which growers say cause the most common problems.

Other growers use bird scarers, which are noisy and can attract complaints from neighbours.