Hawk Kite

Hawk Kite Visual Bird Scarer Specifications

How Does It Work?

All birds are naturally afraid of coming near birds of prey. Birds of prey are “Raptors” meaning that they kill with their talons. In order to do so, a bird of prey must be above its target so that it can dive upon it and seize it in its talons. The natural in-built self-preservation reaction for pest birds is for them to stay above it and away from it.

When Hawk Kite is flying it will weave, dive and hover around and above its pole up to 13m from the ground. This creates a life-like, credible threat to pest birds, who will immediately vacate the area and not come underneath the kite for fear of being attacked by an apex predator

The pest birds will not habituate to the kite’s presence due to the fact that it is always moving and changing height and position.

The original and still the best, the Hawk Kite Kit is by far the toughest and strongest kite on the market

The kite is reinforced and stitched at all the wear points making it extraordinarily tough. Using carbon fibre struts – it is extremely strong, light and flexible, the kite self-launches, flying in the slightest breeze.

The full kit consists of:

• Hawk kite, approx. 120 x 65cm (47.24 x 25.59 inch)
• 7m. Telescopic pole with rubber caps at each end
• Synthetic heavy-duty ground post
• 2-part 8-plaite 2mm Braided Cord with swivel
• Securing line for anchoring during heavy winds
• Comprehensive instructions

A full range of spares is available should your kite become damaged. You can also purchase an optional kite fixing kit on this page if required (see picture).

Usage

For detailed instructions on how to install the Hawk Kite and its associated mounting systems, please download the Full Installation Guide:

• Hawk Kite Full Installation Guide.pdf

• Hawk-Kite-Spec-Sheet.pdf

The hawk kite can be used to protect many problem areas including Golf Courses, Marinas, Fish lakes, Allotments, Playing fields, Industrial roofs, Car sales lots, Brassicas, Cover crops, Grass seeds and any large open space requiring protection from pest birds.

The Hawk Kite requires open space of at least 100 square metres (10m X 10m) without obstructions such as plants, equipment, handrails etc otherwise it will catch on obstructions in high winds and become tangled or damaged.

The Hawk kite should be installed in a suitable location in clear view of the infested area and preferably at the highest point in the area to be protected, for maximum effect.

When locating Hawk Kite consideration should be given to quick and easy access to tie-off Hawk Kite in strong winds

Whilst Hawk Kites will endure winds of up to Force 5-6, if correctly installed, the system should be tied off if stronger winds are forecast to prevent damage or loss of the kite. A full range of spares is available should your kite become damaged

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR INSTALLERS

Hawk Kite should be installed with its telescopic pole set 5-10 degrees off vertical, pointing away from the prevailing wind, such that when the wind is not present the Kite will hang away from the pole and prevent it from wrapping around the pole and tangling. This will ensure optimum performance and effectiveness.

Pay particular attention to any overhead cables and position the kite well away from any overhead obstructions.

Hawk Kite must be inspected daily for any damage or signs of tangling of the tether line around the pole or foreign objects and corrective action taken immediately. Care must be taken to select an optimal position above the pest birds for Hawk Kite to operate, but in a safe position that enables regular access for maintenance.

Remember that Hawk kites are very high up (6m) and do not pass building regulations in Ireland. If a neighbour doesn’t want to see it you will have to remove it from your site.

Quick Setup Instructions

Before you start:

1. Select a suitable location for mounting the Hawk Kite Kit

1.1 It is desirable to angle the Hawk Kite systems pole 10-15 degrees off vertical, pointing away from the prevailing winds i.e. if prevailing wind is South Westerly then angle the mount pointing to the North East. The purpose of this is to prevent the kite from tangling around the pole when there is insufficient wind to launch the kite.

By doing this the amount of maintenance intervention will be kept to a minimum. This factor should be brought into consideration when selecting an appropriate mounting location for the Hawk Kite Kit.

1.2 The kite must be located in the centre of a 10m square area that is free from any obstructions that the kite would otherwise strike and become damaged. Pay particular attention to any overhead cables and position the kite well away from any overhead obstructions.

DO & DON’T

• Do: Move your Hawk Kite regularly to prevent birds getting used to it.
• Do: Tie the kite to the cleat on the telescopic pole if excessively strong winds are forecast.
• Do: Shorten the line on the kite by a maximum of 1-metre, to avoid obstructions. Hawk Kite should hang approximately 1-metre above surface to be protected.
• Do: Inspect the kite at regular intervals and check for signs of tangling, release tangles immediately to maintain effectiveness and prolong service life.
• Don’t: Fly your Hawk Kite: under or near power cables, near public byways, footpaths, bridle paths, roads or anywhere that use of the kite may cause a risk to others.
• Don’t: Crush the Hawk Kite pole with clamp fixings other than those specified by the manufacturer.
• Don’t: Secure the Hawk Kite pole any higher than top of the lowest telescopic section, to avoid over-stressing the pole, which could lead to premature failure.

Danger: If your Hawk Kite gets caught in overhead cables: DO NOT touch the kite, line or pole. DO NOT attempt to retrieve it. Keep people and animals away. Inform the emergency services IMMEDIATELY.
Owl Pest Control will not be held responsible for any accident, loss, damage or injury to any persons/animals or equipment however caused.

2. How to assemble the Hawk Kite, Pole and Tether

Before commencing work please check the contents of your kit, you should have:

• 1 x Hawk Kite sail
• 4 x Carbon fibre spars (2 x wing & 2 x tail)
• 1 x Tether line with in-built swivel
• 1 x Anchorage line
• 1 x 7-section Hawk Kite pole
• 1 X Ground Stake

2.1 Lay Hawk Kite face down on a flat surface.

2.2 Connect the two front edge WING SPARS using the metal tube ensuring that the metal tube is threaded through the fabric hoop attached to the head of the hawk outline.

2.3 Connect the two TAIL SPARS to the opposite top edge of the wings using the sockets provided, ensuring that the poles are crossed halfway along to provide rigidity to the kite frame.

2.4 The Hawk Kite is now ready to be clipped to the tether line and should be kept secure until you are ready, to prevent it from catching the wind.

2.5 Take the rubber cap off the top of the telescopic pole and extend the pole to its full length, pulling each section (seven in total) firmly into the next with a slight twist to lock in place.

2.6 If the Hawk Kite pole is to be left in situ permanently we recommend that you tape each pole section joint with electrical tape, to prevent any potential slippage. This is not necessary if the pole is only being used on an occasional basis.

2.7 Tie the swivel end of the line (the red coloured end of the line) onto the METAL EYE at the top of the telescopic pole, using a Bowline knot.

2.8 The other end is then attached to the pre-made loop on the feet of the Hawk Kite, using the in-built wire clip. The kite should hang 1-metre above the surface to be protected.

2.9 Coil and tie the two-metre anchor line to the cleat at the base of the pole, ready for use if strong winds are forecast.

2.10 Anchor the kite to the base of the telescopic pole in excessively strong winds, to comply with terms and conditions. To do this simply hold the kite against the pole with one hand and wrap the anchor line around both the kite line (above the kite) and the pole twice and then tie the line under tension to the cleat.

Your Hawk Kite Kit is now assembled and ready for use. You now have four options available to you in terms of selecting how to mount your Hawk Kite.

3. Using Hawk Kite with Soft Ground Stake

3.1 Drive the solid synthetic ground post, included in the kit, into the soil by 300mm, approximately 10-15 degrees off vertical, pointing away from the prevailing winds. In soft or wet ground drive the post a further 100mm down to give extra stability.

3.2 Remove the rubber end cap and slide the Hawk Kite Pole over the ground stake, so the bottom of the Hawk Kite Pole sits on the ground.
3.3 When you are ready to fly release the anchorage line from the kite and pole cleat, and the kite will self-launch.

If you want to use the ” Hawk Kite Free Standing Mount”, “the Non-Piercing Ridge Mount”, or use the “Screw-In Fixing Kit for Timber and Masonry” please read the full Hawk Kite Full Installation Guide HERE.