From the page: The plastic cup has a bright future
Idea 4
Sound scarecrow
The traditional scarecrow keeps birds away with its human silhouette, but they get used to it quickly; irregular noise fools them for much longer. Bells and little tins hanging in the wind create unpredictable sounds, and it is exactly the unpredictability that convinces the bird there is danger there — the physics of sound in favor of the harvest.
What you need
- 2 or 3 disposable cups
- Wire, twine or nylon line
- Coins, small nuts or pebbles
- Scissors and a toothpick or small stick
- A clothesline, tree branch or stake in the garden
How to make it
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1
Tie a coin or nut to the end of a piece of line about 8 inches long and attach the other end inside the cup, threading the hole in the bottom with a toothpick to hold it — inside the cup, the sound bounces and gains volume, like a rustic music box.
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2
Make two or three of these chimes with cups of different sizes — each shape produces a different tone, and the mix of sounds confuses the birds.
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3
Hang the chimes spaced apart on a clothesline, branch or stake near the plants you want to protect, at a height where they can swing freely.
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4
Test by blowing or shaking: each chime should move with the lightest breeze and strike against its own cup.
Finishing touches
Every now and then move the chimes around or change their height — the sound scarecrow works because the bird can never predict the pattern. On breezy days, it also becomes a charming little carillon for the porch.
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