Aquatic wildlife deterrent

Abstract

A wildlife deterrent for preventing waterfowl egress from bodies of water, said wildlife deterrent consisting of a sheet material, attachment and securing means, where the sheet material is secured in proximity to the shoreline of the body of water.

1 . An aquatic barrier for waterfowl, comprising:
 a buoyant sheet material, and   means for securing the buoyant sheet material for deployment of the sheet material in water proximate to a shoreline.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material has predetermined buoyancy such that the sheet material is capable of floating to present an upper surface at least coincident with the surface level of the body of water. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is porous allowing water to pass through it to provide wave damping action. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material presents a plurality of flaps capable of providing wave damping action. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the means for securing includes an anchor pin presenting a smooth exterior surface such that the sheet material may ride up and down commensurate with wave action when the sheet material is deployed in water. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein the means for securing further comprises a reinforced attachment point in the sheet material. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is constructed and arranged in a plurality of rectangular blocks as deployed, and the means for securing presents a generally concave structure following a shoreline. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material is constructed and arranged in a plurality of rectangular blocks as deployed, and the means for securing presents a generally convex structure following a shoreline. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material consists essentially of a closed cell foam provided with connective structure for coupling the closed cell foam with the securing means. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet material comprises a combination of natural fibers and netting. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier of  claim 10 , wherein the netting is used as part of the securing means. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier of  claim 10 , wherein closed cell foam is added to the combination of natural fiber and netting. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier of  claim 12 , wherein the netting is used as part of the securing means. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises a rope coupled to the sheet material and anchors securing the rope to a shoreline. 
     
     
         15 . The barrier of  claim 1  deployed floating proximate a shoreline area that, unless the barrier is deployed, is commonly used as a pathway for waterfowl egressing from water to land. 
     
     
         16 . A method of discouraging waterfowl from ambulating across a shoreline, comprising:
 identifying a shoreline proximate waterfowl habitat; and   deploying the barrier of  claim 1  with the sheet material floating in the water and anchored proximate the shoreline.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of identifying includes ascertaining a presence of goose feces along the shoreline, and the quality of water is improved by a reduction of waterborne fecal material as a result of the step of deploying the barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step of identifying the shoreline as one in need of erosion control and wherein erosion of the shoreline is reduced in consequence of the step of deploying the barrier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sheet material is constructed from materials that decomposes and releases a natural algal growth inhibitor that serves to improve the water quality of a body of water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sheet material is treated with a substance prior to deployment and the substance provides beneficial biological reaction that results in improved water quality.