Vineyard Visuals: Wolffer Estate Through the Growing Season (September 1)

We continue keeping an eye on Wolffer Estate Vineyards with Ellen Watson, our resident photographer. As you can see, they've added netting to keep birds from eating the sweetening grapes. Does it work? Sometimes...and it's better than nothing I guess.

This picture was taken on September 1 at around 7:00 a.m. and has been added to the Flickr slideshow.

 

Comments

[Ben]

Does it work? Well, it used to be effective everywhere, but the birds have adapted and in some locations they are quite adept at finding their way into and out of the fruit under the net. Many growers are trying new types of netting that may be more effective (and more expensive); and Alice Wise, of Cornell Cooperative Extension, is running trials of several types at her experimental vineyard in Riverhead, as well as at some commercial vineyards on the North Fork.