Inexpensive Holographic Bird Scarer Tape is available online, from hardware stores, and free from all Visitor Information Centres in the Somerset Region.

The recipe in pictures:

Magic Magpie deterrent bird scarer tape pro tips

1) Bird scarer tape comes in two widths – 15 mm just doesn’t cut it. Needs to be 39 mm width (1.7 in).
2) A 15 cm length of bird scarer tape isn’t enough to scare a pigeon. Tails need to be around 50 to 60 cm long, so start with a one metre length of tape. Don’t make it too long as it will just wrap around your head in the wind.
3) Holographic bird scarer tape is more effective – available online or from hardware stores.:

Also available free from Visitor Information Centres in Somerset.
4) Scrunching it up as you thread it through your helmet vents tends to diminish the effectiveness. I thread a zip tie vertically through two vents high on the rear of the helmet and thread the tape through that, securing the two tails with double side stick tape about one inch from the zip tie so they trail convincingly in the breeze.
5) It might seem obvious, but it still needs to be said – the tape needs to be applied to the rear of your helmet. Attaching it to your hydration pack provides excellent protection for the hydration pack, but doesn’t do much to protect your head. When the bird scarer tape is attached correctly, the birds will still swoop, but veer off at the last second.
6) Bird scarer tape on its own is about 95% effective. Combine it with a DaBrim helmet brim for 100% head protection.

I hope that helps. P

The video