There is no denying birds can do serious damage if left to forage at will on ripening grapes.

The risk of tractor fires caused by birds is very real and totally preventable, yet it continues to plague farmers and contractors on an annual basis.

Drones may soon be joining the armoury of weapons used to scare birds away from ripening grapes  after a trial undertaken in Hawke's Bay last season.

As part of their Living Water partnership, Fonterra and DOC are supporting an international partnership to secure a safe flight path for NZ's bird of the year.