Diminishing acid concentrations have long been thought to be one of the effects of ripening
grapes that leads to increased bird pressure approaching harvest. Blackbirds (Turdus merula…

In order to detect bird responses to sugar parameters of ripening grapes, artificial grapes
containing controlled concentrations of hexose sugars were offered to free-range blackbirds (…

A method for examining foraging decisions by birds damaging grapes in vineyards was
developed using a bird-feeder table, time-lapse video, and artificial foods. Behavioral responses …

… and Lill 1999, Saxton et al. 2004b) may be associated with this aroma. Silvereyes are mobile
and often not present in vineyards until a later stage of ripening (Saxton, unpublished). That …

… Saxton's monograph shows us the possibilities at our disposal at the present time, leading
to more reliable interpretations than those available in the not so distant past. One important …

Secondary metabolites in fruit are compounds that are not directly associated with plant
growth; some are directly related to plant reproductive processes, specifically seed protection …

In order to estimate the economic impact of damage inflicted by birds the damage inflicted
must be measured. This project addressed the need for a technique for a robust, repeatable …

… Saxton, VP 2007. To develop a robust statistical method for assessing bird damage to
crops, particularly fruit. NZ Winegrowers website http://www.nzwine.com/reports/ …

… Rated from most likely to increase damage to least likely: open land, fruit orchards, roads,
trees, cropping farms, buildings, streams, power lines and more vineyards next door (Saxton, …

The grape industry in Marlborough has undergone rapid expansion with the area in production
increasing from 2000 ha in 1995 to 10,000 ha in 2005. HortResearch in association with …