RUNNING HEADER: MAGNETIC ANIMAL REPELLENT LAB NOTEBOOK 1

Magnetic Animal Repellent Lab Notebook IX

Sidney Boakye, Michelle Miller, and Joaquin Valda
Senior Physics Mentorship
4/17/18
Dr. Psaker Lab
Governor’s School @ Innovation Park

Objectives:

Data collection and the composition of that data into analyzable data

Final presentation and poster board planning

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Materials and Methods

Since we have had suboptimal results with our device, we decided to map out the

magnetic field of the device Gamma and a natural magnet. We did this by taping sheets of graph

paper together and placing the magnetic source in the middle of the sheet. Then we took small

compasses and laid them around the magnetic source, writing the direction of the compass on the

paper. We did this for device Gamma and the natural magnet. After we were done mapping the

field we took the magnetic field sensor and measured the magnitude of the field at various

points. From this mapping we found that the optimal placement of the magnetic field source is

vertically underneath the bird feeder.

Fig 1. This is a picture of our map for device Gamma.

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Fig 2. This is a picture of our map for the natural magnet.

We also found out that our device Gamma and natural magnet have surface magnetic

fields that are larger than the range of the Vernier magnetic field sensor. Thus we looked into

purchasing another, more powerful magnetic field sensor. However, these proved to be too
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expensive and we realized that we only need to know the magnitude of the field two to five

inches away, because that is where the birds will be located.

There is also new research into how birds actually go about sensing magnetic fields.

Their access to magneto-reception stems from a protein located in their eyes called Cry4. Cry4 is

also a protein which helps to regulate a bird’s circadian rhythm. Scientist studied the Zebra finch

which have three proteins that regulate circadian rhythm located in the eye: Cry1, Cry2, and

Cry4. Cry1 and Cry2 fluctuate throughout the day, as expected, but Cry4 remains constant

suggesting it has an additional usage. It was later determined that many other bird had constant

levels of Cry4, even non-migratory ones. Those which did migrate had elevated levels overall

but interestingly non-migratory bird, like chicken, still have Cry4 in their eyes. Though this does

not necessarily affect how we are approaching our project, it does change our perspective on how

we understand how our project interacts with birds.

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Data and Results

During testing, we found that the types of birds that come to the bird feeder are most

likely: Carolina Wren and various types of sparrows. For testing we decided to go with the

natural magnet, seeing as the magnitude of its magnetic field was similar to device Gamma’s.

Fig 3. This is how we mounted the natural magnet, underneath the bird feeder with tape.

The bird food was filled up to two inches when the magnet was placed as shown in the

picture. After two days past the bird food went down half way, indicating that a constant

magnetic field did not scare the birds away. The magnet was set up so that the birds are as close

as possible when feeding.

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Future Goals

After testing the Gamma device and the natural magnet, we determined that we need

more data on the birds behavior. We may want to make another device that has an oscillating

magnetic field, because we think the constant magnetic field is not as distracting enough.

Therefore, we will conduct a couple more trials in the hopes to yield more positive results which

will support our hypothesis. During this testing we plan to record the bird’s interaction with the

device. After all of our data collection is complete, we will compile all of our research into a

presentable format, of which we will present at the Symposium. Along with this we will also

have to make a slideshow for our final peer presentation.

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References

Gabbatiss, Josh., 7 Apr. 2018, “Substance That Gives Birds Mysterious Power to See Earth's

Magnetic Field Discovered by Scientists.” The Independent, Independent Digital News

and Media, Retrieved April 12, 2018, from www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bird-

power-earths-magnetic-field-scientists-discovery-magnetoreception-lund-university-

oldenburg-a8293891.html.

Loss, S. R., Will, T., & Marra, P. P. (2014). Refining Estimates of Bird Collision and
Electrocution Mortality at Power Lines in the United States. Retrieved October 24, 2017,
from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4081594/

Staff Feb. 7, 2005 From the print edition Print Share Subscribe Donate Now. (2005, February
07). High Country News. Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.hcn.org/issues/291/15268

Patent US5884426 - Magnetic device for repelling birds. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2017,
from https://www.google.com/patents/US5884426ht