Predatory birds safeguard vineyards at England's Rathfinny, specifically wine grapes.
In an innovative and environmentally-friendly approach, Rathfinny Wine Estate in England is deploying a specialist falconry team to protect its wine grapes for the upcoming 2025 harvest. This trial forms part of the company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact, as a certified B Corp.
The falconry team includes trained falcons, hawks, and a Chilean blue eagle, with hybrid falcons such as a peregrine-Gyrfalcon cross and a peregrine-Aplomado falcon cross also playing a crucial role. These speedy, agile, and large birds are tasked with chasing off bigger birds like seagulls, while the smaller Merlins are patrolling the skies to keep pigeons and crows at bay.
A 2012 study published in the journal Conservation Biology found that introducing falcons could lead to a significant reduction in grape losses. This practice has been employed in vineyards in California and Napa Valley, demonstrating its effectiveness.
The 2025 UK wine harvest is particularly promising, following a record hot summer. Rathfinny Wine Estate expects to begin harvest on 25 September, 10 days earlier than normal. To ensure the grapes remain undisturbed, the team is patrolling the skies from dawn until dusk.
To further minimise environmental impact, the trial aims to reduce the use of plastic netting that would normally cover the vines. Instead, there are alternative meals for hungry birds nearby, as there is plenty of food available in the hedgerows around the estate.
Biodiversity in the vineyard is a topic of interest for future considerations. For now, the focus is on the 2025 harvest, where the falconry team will provide several lines of defence for the grapes.
For those interested in learning more about the use of birds of prey in vineyards and wine production, the wine news section of the Rathfinny Wine Estate's website contains related articles. This innovative approach to pest control is yet another example of Rathfinny's commitment to sustainability and responsible wine production.
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