Bird scarers and gas guns

There are two main types of devices, although some may combine elements of both types: 

• Auditory: these imitate the sound of gunfire, birds’ distress calls, sirens, or a constant hum 
• Visual: these replicate the visible appearance of humans, predatory species and sudden movements, which birds naturally fear.

Advice for equestrians

To begin with, try having a conversation with the owner of the land that the bird scarer is on to see if they can:  

• Place the bird scarer to a different location further away from the road or bridleway 
• Put some warning signs up to warn other riders and carriage drivers that a bird scarer is nearby so they can avoid or prepare for it.  

You might want to make a complaint using the relevant legislation if devices do unfortunately cause problems. 

• If you wish to make a complaint, it might be helpful to take some legal advice, as every case is individual, and there isn’t always a straightforward solution
• If you’re a BHS Gold member, you can contact the free legal advice helpline.  

Please, also remember to report your experience of an incident to the BHS Access Team 

access@bhs.org.uk

02476 840515

• This helps us collect evidence of common incidents and work towards making positive changes for equestrians and their horses. 

Advice around putting up bird scarers

The NFU has produced a Code of Conduct on the use and positioning of bird scarers. However, two of the key things you could do to keep horses and riders safe are: 

• Avoid placing a bird scarer near a road, bridleway, or any other place you are aware that horses might pass close by.
• Put up warning signs. Incidents often occur because the rider or carriage driver is unaware of a bird scarer behind a hedge or out of sight; warning signs can help riders to prepare or avoid the route if necessary.