Blaze risk from nesting birds

COOKED: An example of damage to a tractor after a bird's nest ignited under the tractor's bonnet. PHOTO/FILE

It only takes starlings 17 minutes to build a nest in a tractor, which can result in a costly fire.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Phill Wishnowsky says there were two bird nest related fires in farm machinery last week in the Martinborough area.

Both were extinguished before major damage was done, but the potential for damage and cost to the farmer is high, he said.

Spring and early summer brings a jump in tractor fires because of bird's nests.

"If a tractor does catch fire, not only can it mean the loss of the machine, but also the ability to carry out the work it is used for."

He said it only takes starlings 17 minutes to build a nest.

"You're using your tractor, you come in for lunch and a cup of coffee, as it's warming down the starling can build the nest and when you go back out again to the tractor can go up in smoke very quickly."

The Rural Fire Force advise tractor owners to check under the bonnet every time before using a tractor, and when they have finished with the vehicle, pop the top and leave it open.

Birds prefer to nest in sheltered, enclosed spaces, and will be put off by storing a tractor with the bonnet lifted.