Violent squawks, like birds blown out of the air, followed the blast.

While the girls were terrified, orchardist Robert Fitzpatrick was well satisfied his latest bird scarer, solar powered and fitted with recordings of bird chaos, was working beautifully.

By now Korean, Taiwanese, French and German visitors are used to the sudden blasts across the rolling hills surrounding Young, scaring off starlings, crows and parrots.

But Mr Fitzpatrick said the drought had come home to roost this season, making cherries smaller. Some 30-year-old trees would have been replaced by now if not for the ongoing drought.

The ''Rons'' and ''Supremes'', two varieties developed in the Young district, were outperforming imported varieties. The lack of rain meant there was no split fruit or fungus about.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times