Scarecrow B.I.R.D. SYSTEM Operator's manual

USERS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
SCARECROW B.I.R.D. SYSTEM™

CONTENTS
Page 1-2 - Items Supp ied and Avai ab e Accessories
Pages 2-4 - Practica Setup Tips
Page 5 - Assemb y / Fixing
Pages 6-7 - Power Supp y and Connections
Page 8-9 - System Design
Page 10 - Keypad Guide and Defau t Settings
Page 11 - Turning the Unit On/Off
Pages 12- - Programming Instructions
Page 15 - Other Features
Page 16 - Pin Contro / Use
Page 17 - Re-Set Defau t Factory Settings and Technica Support

ITEMS SUPPLIED
SCARECROW B.I.R.D. SYSTEM™
A fully automatic and random play bird dispersal system, incorporating:
•Random play bird dispersal processor
•10 standard distress calls
•Integrated Long Line Transformer
•Built in keypad for setting controls
•Built in lig t sensor
•Capable of osting up to 30 loudspeakers (SEE BELOW).
•Power Supply; 15V dc regulated switc mode; c oice of EU/UK plug top
•4 x 1215/L Loudspeakers - IP65 rated 20 watt re-entrant orn loudspeaker, fitted
wit fully adjustable mounting bracket.
Standard calls: Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, Starling, Rook, Crow, Pigeon, Jackdaw,
Canada Goose 1, Canada Goose 2 and Birds of Prey
ADDITIONAL LOUDSPEAKERS: OPTIONS
•1212/L LOUDSPEAKER; IP65 rated 10 watt re-entrant orn loudspeaker fitted wit
fully adjustable mounting bracket. Used w ere a more specific “directional”
broadcast is required.
•1215/L LOUDSPEAKER; IP65 rated 20 watt re-entrant orn loudspeaker, fitted wit
fully adjustable mounting bracket.
Page 1

Note: The 1220/L LOUDSPEAKER Class 1 ‘EexmN’ is or use in hazardous atmospheres, and
more detail is provided in the appropriate manual.
I the Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System™ processor unit can be situated in a sa e environment, but
the 1220/L speakers are required in view o the site environment, then the 4 x 1212L/1215L
speakers provided as standard with the normal Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System™ price will be
upgraded to 1220L speakers, subject to the appropriate additional payment.
ACCESORY ITEMS AVAILABLE
Solar Power Option ; suitable for B.I.R.D. System™, Scarecrow 180™ and Scarecrow
360™ System. System comprises:
•Solar Panel – Pole mount only
•Battery & regulator pack - Option for wall or pole mounting
Ambient Lig t Sensor; to facilitate Dawn / Dusk function only w en main Scarecrow
B.I.R.D. System
™ processor (wit built in lig t sensor) as to be located indoors.
Should the above accessories be required please contact your supplier, or Scarecrow direct, on
[email protected]u
PRACTICAL TIPS
Point of Broadcast
•Ideally, t e point of broadcast s ould be from a ig point – too low to t e ground
will only limit t e area covered, and t erefore t e success obtained.
Vo ume Leve s
•T e volume of broadcast as to be at a natural level for t e birds to identify t e
broadcast as a natural call:
oToo loud – t e broadcast will merely appear to sound like a noise, and no
reaction is likely.
oToo quiet =- t ey simply will not ear t e call, and again a dispersal reaction
is unlikely.
•To attain w at is perceived as a natural level for t e target species, begin
broadcasting t e system at t e lowest volume level and t en increase t e volume
until you see t e birds react to t e call
Page 2

PRACTICAL TIPS (Cont.)
Coverage
•Total coverage t e system is able to provide is dependent on many factors, not least
of w ic is t e number of speakers utilised. Under normal circumstances we would
not look to design a system w ere any speaker(s) are required to broadcast in excess
of 100m distance.
•Ot er dependent factors would include t e lie of t e land, prevailing weat er
conditions, strengt /direction of wind, ot er ambient noise, air temperature,
s ape/design of target area and obstructions to sound broadcast.
•Taking t is into account, it is important to remember t at t e broadcast needs to
sound at a natural level to t e birds for greatest effect – too loud or too quiet, will
merely eit er sound like a noise to t e target birds and be ignored, or not eard at
all.
Effect on other wi d ife
•T e calls broadcast are only recognisable by t e target bird species, and t erefore
as no lasting effect on ot er wildlife at all.
•T at is not to say t at t ere will be no reaction – in some extreme cases, t e
broadcast of a distress call may for example bring in a Hawk oping to find some
easy food.
Re ocating the Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System
•Under normal circumstances due to t e cable runs wit t e Scarecrow B.I.R.D.
System™, once speakers are in place t ey are left w ere t ey are.
•W ilst “speaker relocation” is an option, it is recommended t at a system s ould
ideally remain in situ if an area is required to be kept free of birds; nevert eless,
speakers can be repositioned if required.
•T e concept of t e system is to create t e impression over time t at t e area is a
“t reat area” and one t erefore to avoid – so over time t e bird numbers may even
reduce. T is is ac ieved by t e regular (but not too frequent) broadcast of t e
Distress Call, w ic clearly cannot be ac ieved if t e system is relocated to
alternative areas.
Variab e Vo ume
•T e system incorporates a “variable volume” feature – during broadcast t e volume
will automatically vary between t e maximum set level, and approximately 20
metres from t e unit.
•T is is to provide t e perception of predator movement, to aid to t e overall
confusion and concern of t e target specie, to improve dispersal performance.
• T is feature also ensures t at no matter w ere t e target bird may be wit in t e
overall coverage area during t e time of broadcast, at some point t e broadcast
sound level will certainly sound as if it is at a natural level.
Page 3

Independent Speaker Channe broadcast
•T e system incorporates t ree independent speaker c annels.
•Eac speaker c annel can accommodate up to a maximum of 10 speakers. T e
system uses a 30w amplifier and t erefore speakers need to be tapped down
according to t e number of speakers (e.g. tapped down to 2.5w if t e maximum 10
speakers are being used per c annel) - t e speaker c annels do not broadcast at t e
same time so 30w per c annel is acceptable.
•T e broadcast is made out of eac c annel in turn, independently, and on a
randomised basis.
•As wit t e variable volume, t is is to provide t e perception of predator movement,
to aid to t e overall confusion and concern of t e target specie, to improve dispersal
performance.
•T is feature works in conjunction wit t e variable volume.
•In t e event of a system design requiring say only 8 speakers, t e c oice exists to:
oUse just one c annel wit all 8 speakers – in t is instance all speakers will
broadcast at t e same time, t us mitigating t e effect of “predator
movement” by way of t e sound sweeping from one set of speakers to
anot er.
oUse 2 c annels wit say 4 speakers in eac c annel – in t is instance t e two
sets of 4 speakers will broadcast one after t e ot er – so some “predator
movement” effect is obtained.
oUse 3 c annels wit a split of speakers across t e 3 c annels – in t is instance
t e full effect of “predator movement” is obtained.
Note: The decision as to which option to ollow may be driven by other actors such as
installation costing.
Habitat Management
•W ilst t e unique efficiency of SCARECROW bio-acoustic products is long establis ed
SCARECROW BIO-ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS LIMITED stress t at t ey can only work
effectively as part of an overall and planned programme of bird control.
•T is will include total ygiene management and w ere applicable t e use of
operatives w o ave been professionally trained.
• Wit out limitation, SCARECROW BIO-ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS LIMITED will not accept
liability for any consequences as a result of poor equipment maintenance, misuse,
inappropriate use, lack of operative training, failure of due diligence or t roug lack
of prior project consultation.
Page 4

ASSEMBLY / FIXING
•T e Scarecrow B.I.R.D System™ main processor box is typically a traditional wall
fixing using screws/raw plugs (not supplied).
•Fixing can be eit er inside or outside depending on client needs and site
circumstances.
•Ideally t e processor s ould not be positioned too far away from t e speaker
locations – t is is merely to facilitate ease of installation; if circumstances dictate t is
is not possible, consideration t en needs to be given to cable c oice used (see
below).
•Wit t e Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System™, speaker placement is vitally important to
obtain t e desired dispersal effect over t e target area – please see Page 8 under
“System Design”.
•T e speakers used ave fully adjustable mounting brackets (see Page 1) typically
fixed to position wit screws/raw plugs (not supplied).
•T e processor box as t ree separate speaker c annels, eac of w ic can take up
to a maximum of 10 speakers eac . T e speaker c annel connections are s own
below:
•Cabling for speakers is on a “Daisy C ain” basis between speakers, starting from t e
processor box.
•Please see Page 4 under “Independent Speaker C annel Broadcast” to determine
ow many speaker c annels you wis to utilise prior to commencing speaker cabling.
Page 5

•In terms of cable c oice used on site, t e following guidelines s ould be considered:
FLEXIBLE
DISTANCE IN METRES
4.00mm
2
300
2.50
mm
2
200
1.50
mm
2
120
1.00
mm
2
75
POWER SUPPLY AND CONNECTIONS
SCARECROW B.I.R.D. SYSTEM™
•T e standard system requires just one cable connection, as supplied. One end of t e
cable connection is fixed to t e side of t e Scarecrow B.I.R.D. System™ in t e “Power
Input” connection.
Page 6

T e ot er end is t e c oice made of eit er 15V DC regulated switc mode EU/UK power
supply, or Battery Lead, and is fixed to power source.
LIGHT SENSOR
If t e main processor box is fitted inside a building, t en t e built in Lig t Sensor will not
function as it s ould. If t e remote Ambient Lig t Sensor is purc ased, t e cable fixing is
made to t e main processor UNIT as s own above on Page 6. .
SOLAR POWER OPTION
T e solar power unit is a standalone unit and as two connectors.
T e first is “Solar”, connecting t e solar panel to t e battery and regulator.
T e second is “12V Out”, connecting t e battery and regulator to t e main Scarecrow
B.I.R.D. System™ unit, at “Power Input”.
Page 7

Furt er instructions on t e assembly of t e Solar Pack are included wit t ese accessories.
SYSTEM DESIGN
System Design is really all about speaker placement to take into account suc factors as t e
following:
•Sound broadcast over t e entire target area, including dealing wit any barriers to
sound (e.g. walls, alcoves), w ere feasible wit in constraints of budget.
Some sites have so many barriers to sound, or so many “nooks and crannies” to protect, it
becomes commercially impractical to provide a system likely to provide 100% coverage.
•Eac speaker ideally broadcasting over muc t e same distance.
The main processor box is where the system volume is set, and as explained later, the setting
o the “maximum volume broadcast”. I you have some speakers that are required to
broadcast over say 40m, whilst others have to broadcast over 100m, clearly the volume
setting is likely to be incorrect or one o the speaker sets.
•Ot er ambient noise factors t at may impact on broadcast.
I there are strong, and regular/ requent ambient noise eatures, these may be taken into
account in terms o speaker placement and broadcast direction to ensure the normal sound
broadcast is not mitigated by virtue o the ambient noise.
•Strong prevailing weat er conditions.
Where easible it is a good idea to maximize the bene it o regular/ requent prevailing winds, to use
these to enhance the distance that sound will naturally travel. I not considered, the converse could
apply that the wind could reduce the distance that the dispersal sound will travel, by blowing in the
opposite direction to that which the loudspeakers are directed.
•Impact of broadcast on any neig bouring properties, to mitigate t e risk of any
“noise complaints”.
The broadcast should be set at a “natural level” or the birds to react, so should, in theory, be
no di erent to i a bird were present anyway. However it is always best, i possible, to set the
broadcast direction away rom any nearby residential areas, or areas where the regular
broadcast may have an impact.
Page 8

•Ensuring speakers are angled slig tly downward to ensure no collection of water
wit in t e orn.
Whilst all the speakers Scarecrow use are rated IP65, it is best to have speakers angled very
slightly downwards to prevent the risk o water collection.
•T e target bird species natural reaction to earing t eir Distress Call
Typically the ideal speaker placement is to be at the “highest possible point” – i this is on a
roo it may be by using the pitch o the roo , or it may be the speakers need to be pole
mounted to provide that extra elevation.
I the problem is an internal one, then ideally the speaker location needs to be as close to the
roo void / ceiling as possible – i not, dispersal success may vary dependent on target
species.
Page 9

KEY PAD GUIDE AND DEFAULT SETTINGS
Standard Programmed Ca s:
1. Herring Gull 6. Pigeon
2. Black Headed Gull 7. Jackdaw
3. Starling 8. Canada Goose 1
4. Rook 9. Canada Goose 2
5. Crow 10. Birds of Prey
Standard Factory Settings:
•Unit volume is pre-set to cover a 50m distance
•Pin Disabled
•Lig t Sensor – Mid Point 5
•Random Broadcast Playback Timer set to Normal
W en t e unit is first provided from Scarecrow, t e system will not ave t e PIN activated.
In t is “unlocked state” all buttons on t e keypad are operative.
T ereafter, if t e User as activated t e PIN, t e system can be eit er be in a locked state or
unlocked w en first powered up.
If locked, a PIN number is required to unlock t e system and perform any functions.
Page 10

TURNING THE UNIT ON/OFF
Turn on the system.
•Press t e ‘POWER’ button to switc on.
•T e red LED above t e power button will turn on.
•If a PIN is enabled, LED’s 1-4 will flas four times indicating t at t e system is locked.
•Enter t e correct PIN number, if incorrect, t e system will s ut down immediately.
•T e system will also s ut down after 30 seconds if no PIN is entered.
Turn o system.
•Press and old t e power button for 3 seconds until all number LED’s flas rapidly to
switc off.
•If t e system was in low power standby, t e system will power up first, flas all
number LED’s rapidly t en s ut-down w en t e power button is released.
•If a PIN is enabled, LED’s 1-4 will flas indicating t at t e system is locked.
•Enter t e correct PIN number, if PIN entered is correct, t e system will s ut down
immediately.
•T e system will remain on if t e incorrect Pin was entered.
•If t e system was in low power standby, t e system will power up first, flas LED’s
1 – 4 to prompt for t e PIN entry.
Lock the system.
•If PIN enabled and t e system is unlocked, press t e power button briefly to lock t e
system, all number LED’s will flas and t e system will be locked.
Note:
T e system will lock itself after 15 minutes if no keys are pressed and t e PIN is set and
enabled.
Unlock the system.
•Assuming t e unit is on, press and old ‘N’ for 3 seconds and LED’s 1-4 will flas to
prompt PIN entry.
•Enter t e correct PIN number w ic will be confirmed by all t e number LED’s
flas ing twice. Incorrect pin will be indicated by all number LED’s lig ting for two
seconds.
Cancel PIN entry mode.
•Briefly press t e Power button to exit PIN entry mode w ile LED’s 1 – 4 are flas ing.
Page 11

PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS
Broadcast Random Timer
•T e system as t ree main random timer functions t at indicate ow long t e
interval will be between eac call sequence broadcast. T e System is automatically
pre-set to “Normal” mode – amend to “Severe” or “Re-Enforce” as required by
pressing t e appropriate button briefly and LED comes on, and “Normal” LED goes
out – function mode amended.
•N = Normal = 20 to 45 minutes – T is is t e default setting and recommended
everyday setting
•R = Re-Enforce = 10 to 30 minutes – T is setting s ould not be used for more
t an 48 rs ot erwise t e birds may abituate to t e sound and make t e system
less effective
•S = Severe = 5 to 15 minutes - T is setting s ould not be used for more t an
48 rs ot erwise t e birds may abituate to t e sound and make t e system less
effective
Bird Ca s
•Press 1-10 for t e required Bird Calls.
•Press individual numbers one at a time and once t e individual LED stays on, t e call
is programmed.
•In t e event t e wrong call is programmed, simply press t e number again until t e
LED goes off.
Vo ume
•T e volume is set to 50m, as a factory setting default.
•Press eit er volume button, up or down, to alter t e volume/distance coverage as
required – very roug ly, eac number equates to about 10 metres.
•On pressing eit er volume button, t e bird sequence will start broadcasting
continuously in a “Test Mode” at t e current set maximum level (i.e. t e variable
volume feature will not operate at t is stage). T is will last for 10mins to enable you
to c eck t e volume level is adequate for t e required target area and t en, after 10
minutes, automatically time out. If t e process is completed sooner, press N, R or S
as appropriate, and t e final volume setting made will be t e maximum level to
w ic t e system will broadcast.
•W ile t e volume key is pressed and for a few seconds after, t e number LED’s will
s ow t e volume setting from 1 to 10.
•To override t e 10 minute test mode and activate t e random timer for broadcast,
once t e volume is set at t e correct level, re-press t e required Broadcast Random
Timer Button e.g. N, R or S.
Page 12

PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED
Light Sensor
•T e lig t sensor tells t e system to stop broadcasting at nig t to save power and to
reduce noise nuisance.
•T e DUSK timer runs for 1 our at sunset to keep t e system active after sunset to
discourage birds from roosting.
•T e DAWN timer delays wakeup of t e system for 60 seconds to ensure t at t e
system is not triggered by passing motor ve icle eadlig ts at nig t.
Light Sensor: Test
•Briefly press one of t e lig t sensor buttons to disable t e dawn / dusk timers.
•Cover t e lig t sensor (positioned on left and side of speaker below keypad) wit
and - t e Amber LED s ould go out indicating t e system is in nig t mode.
•Remove your and and c eck t e LED now goes to a solid Amber colour – t is
indicates t e system is now in day mode and t e lig t sensor is working correctly.
•During normal operation, t e lig t sensor LED will be on during daylig t, it will flas
w en dawn or dusk timer is running and will blink once every 5 seconds if in nig t
mode (to save power).
Light Sensor: Adjustment
• Adjust Lig t Sensor by pressing t e associated “up/down” buttons repeatedly as
required; 1 = most sensitive to lig t, 10 = least sensitive.
•
T e lig t sensor level will be s own on t e number LEDs w ile operating t e buttons
and for a few seconds after release.
• Minimum setting disables t e lig t sensor. T is is ac ieved by adjusting t e lig t
sensor down until LED No 1 also goes out - t is is confirmed by rapid flas ing of all
number LED’s.
Light Sensor: Other
• Pressing t e UP or DOWN buttons briefly will bypass t e dawn and dusk timers
w en in "Dawn/Dusk" Timer mode (e.g. amber LED is flas ing). T is allows t e
system to go into nig t mode immediately if dark, or day mode if daylig t, wit out
t e delay.
Page 13

•During normal operation, t e lig t sensor LED will be on during daylig t, it will flas
w en dawn or dusk timer is running and will blink once every 5 seconds if in nig t
mode (to save power).
Light Sensor: Typica Resu ts
•T e lig t sensor function enables t e unit to be set up so it activates at dawn and
t en goes into nig t mode at dusk. Below is an overview of t e basic results seen
during test on a partially cloudy day.
oLevel 0 = Disabled, unit always in day mode.
oLevel 1 = Unit deactivates 20 minutes after sunset
oLevel 2 = Units deactivates 15 minutes after sunset
oLevel 3 = Units deactivates 6 minutes after sunset
oLevel 4 = Units deactivates 2 minutes after sunset
oLevel 5 = Units deactivates 1 minute after sunset
oLevel 6 = Units deactivates at sunset
oLevel 7 = Units deactivates 1 minute before sunset
oLevel 8 = Units deactivates 2 minutes before sunset
oLevel 9 = Units deactivates 5 minutes before sunset
oLevel 10 = Units deactivates 6 minutes before sunset
Note: the system will continue broadcasting or a urther 60 minutes a ter the times stated below, as the dusk
timer keeps the system active to prevent roosting.
Note: There is a slight delay be ore the sensor responds.
Note: I the light sensor is NOT enabled in the options unction, all number LED’s will lash rapidly when either
button is pressed. It is enabled by de ault.
Page 14

OTHER FEATURES
Low battery warning
•If t e battery voltage falls below 9v, t e system will s utdown to prevent damage to
t e battery.
•T e next time t e unit is powered up (provided t e battery remained connected) t e
system will flas code 5 and play “low battery” t roug t e speakers indicating t at
a low battery s utdown ad occurred.
•You must rec arge t e battery.
Low Standby Mode
•T e system will go into a low power standby mode (if enabled) and no broadcast is
running.
•As standard eac unit as low power standby mode activated.
•T e system will go into t is mode if no buttons ave been pressed for 15minutes, no
broadcast sequence is active during daylig t and one our after sunset as been
detected.
•A brief press of t e power button will bring t e system out of t is mode.
•Low standby mode is indicated by a brief flas of t e lig t sensor LED during nig t
time or a brief flas of t e set mode (N, R or S) during day time.
•To force low power standby to run, press ‘N’, ‘R’ or ‘S’ button to stop t e current
broadcast t en press power button briefly, after 10 seconds t e system s ould
power down into low power mode.
•Low power mode is indicated by a brief flas of t e power LED, t e lig t sensor led
(if nig t) or eit er t e ‘N’, ‘R’ or ‘S’ led’s if daytime.
LED meanings
•All number LED’s flas four times w en any button pressed = System locked by PIN,
press N for 3 seconds t en enter PIN number.
•Number LED’s 1-4 flas ing continuously = > PIN number entry expected.
•All number LED’s flas twice after PIN entry = PIN number entry correct.
•All number LED’s on for 2 seconds = PIN number incorrect or timeout ERROR.
•All number LED’s scroll down from 10 to 1 after factory reset = Confirmation of reset
to defaults.
•N,R or S LED flas ing indicates t at t e random timer between broadcasts is running.
•A single number LED flas ing indicates t at particular bird is broadcasting.
Page 15

PIN CONTROL / USE
•PIN option factory setting is set to “Disabled” as default.
•Default PIN : 10, 10, 10, 10
Activate PIN Function and Save New Pin (use when PIN Function not activated before)
•Press and Hold N for 3 seconds – Red LED’s 1- 4 will now flas
•Enter t e default PIN 10,10,10,10 – T e N,R and S Green LED’s will now flas
•Press S briefly and t en enter new 4 digit PIN twice – All LED’s will flas twice to
confirm c ange. T e PIN is now saved and enabled.
Disab e PIN function
•Press and old N for 3 seconds - Red LED’s 1- 4 will now flas
•Enter t e current user PIN or 10,10,10,10 if default - t en press R to disable t e PIN.
•T e system will now not require a PIN to operate.
Enab e a previous y disab ed PIN
•Press and old N for 3 seconds, enter t e existing user PIN number
• Press N briefly. T e system will now require t e user PIN to operate.
Note: A ter S, N or R has been pressed as above, the system reverts to normal operation
mode.
PIN number features:
•If t e system is locked by PIN, old “N” for 3 seconds - LED’s 1-4 flas continually
(t ese LED’s flas ing indicates “PIN entry mode”).
• If no PIN as been programmed yet, enter factory setting default PIN 10,10,10,10.
Ot erwise enter t e saved PIN.
• LED’s 1-4 will go out as you enter eac digit.
• You s ould t en see all LED’s flas twice for confirmation of correct entry. System
now unlocked. (Wrong entry indicated by all lig ts lit for 2 seconds)
•If t e PIN is active and after 15 minutes of no user input, t e system will revert to
PIN locked in w ic case you will ave to press N for 3 seconds and t en enter t e
PIN number to unlock t e system.
• If t e PIN is entered incorrectly 5 times in a row t e buttons will be locked out for 5
minutes before a retry is allowed. All t e number LEDs will lig t for 2 seconds if N is
pressed for 3 seconds to try and enter a PIN number during lockout period.
• Briefly pressing t e power button will lock t e system if t e PIN is enabled.
Page 16

RE-SET FACTORY SETTINGS
•If you ave forgotten your PIN or want to revert t e unit back to its factory settings please
follow t e below steps:
•Press and old N for 3 seconds until t e 1- 4 Red LED’s flas enter PIN 4726
•You now ave 15 seconds to complete t e following sequence
•Press S and old until all LED’s flas twice
•Press R and old until all LED’s flas twice
•Press N and old until all LED’s flas twice
•All number LED’s will now scroll down from 10-1 indicating t e factory re-set and t e system
will switc off.
•Please note t e pin will ave now been re-set to t e default 10,10,10,10
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
S ould you ave any concerns about t e installation or set up of your system, please
contact eit er t e agent from w om t e purc ase was made, or Scarecrow Bio-acoustic
Systems direct as follows:
oP one: 01825 766363
oEmail: [email protected] / [email protected]
If an item needs to be returned to t e manufacturer, t e Returns Address is:
Scarecrow Bio-Acoustic Systems Limited
T e Old Dairy
Straig t Half Mile
Maresfield
East Sussex
TN22 2HH
Page 17