Birds of prey, bats called in to boost winegrape production in Natural Resources Management project

Scientists and viticulturists are discovering how birds of prey, tiny bats and predatory insects can help boost wine production in McLaren Vale.

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Scientists and viticulturists are discovering how birds of prey, tiny bats and predatory insects can help boost wine production in McLaren Vale.

Natural Resource Management’s Elisa Sparrow says about a dozen wineries are involved in Wildlife For Wine, which is exploring innovative ways to reduce pests in vineyards.

That could lead to cutting pesticide use, higher yields and improved bottom lines.

“We don’t necessarily have to make big changes like revegetating whole areas to improve biodiversity and see benefits in vineyards,” Dr Sparrow, the district ecologist, says.

A Gould’s wattles bat. Picture: Duncan MacKenzie

“The idea is to improve economics without having to put in as much input – our wildlife does the work for them.”

Microbat roosting boxes and an ‘Anabat’ device, which picked up ultrasonic echolocation calls, will be used to study which species were living in the area and encourage bats to spend more time around the vineyards.

It’s hoped the microbats will feast on vineyard pest insects, keeping their populations at bay.

“The cool thing about microbats is they eat half their weight in insects at night – they’re amazing pest control species,” Dr Sparrow says.

The Wetlands Vineyard owner Sami Gilligan, with Harrison, 15, who is among students making roost boxes for microbats. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The project will also involve enticing more peregrine falcons and hawks to the area to control birds such as lorikeets and starlings, which liked feasting on grapes.

“Having predatory birds around changes their behaviour a lot and they don’t seem to do as much damage to the grapes,” Dr Sparrow says.

“We’re looking at trying to put a couple of perches within a vineyard.”

Another property would be revegetated with native plant species to attract predatory insects, such as ladybirds and spiders.

A white stripped freetail bat. Picture: Terry Reardon.

FAME Flexible Learning Centre youth worker Peter King says students aged 14-16 have made 10 roost boxes for microbats, with the help of Seaford Rotary and Onkaparinga Council.

“They’ve really enjoyed getting dirty, gluing and painting them and putting the nest boxes together,” he says.

“The first day we started the project, we went out to Wirra Wirra winery and Elisa spoke to the kids about what they were doing and how it’s going to be a bit better for the environment.”

Harry, 15, said: “It’s great to be part of the program, knowing the impact it will have ... on our environment”.

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