Birds on the Job: Putting Wildlife to Work in the Vineyard

Some of the most effective vineyard pest managers may already have wings.

At the 2026 Sustainable Ag Expo, two back-to-back sessions will explore how songbirds and barn owls can help manage vineyard pests, from insects like vine mealybug and sharpshooters to rodents. Attendees will hear the latest research, learn how to make vineyards more inviting to beneficial birds, and even meet some of the wildlife up close.

Small Birds, Big Appetite

At 10:30 AM, Dr. Matt Johnson of Cal Poly Humboldt will present Gifts from the Sky: Pest-eating Songbirds in Winegrape Vineyards, kicking off two back-to-back sessions exploring how birds can support vineyard pest management before lunch.

Research from Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Davis, and UC Riverside shows that bluebirds, swallows, and other songbirds feed on important vineyard pests, including three-cornered alfalfa hopper, blue-green sharpshooter, and vine mealybug.

Dr. Johnson will share what researchers are learning about these beneficial birds and how growers can use nest boxes to encourage them in the vineyard.

The session is approved for 0.75 DPR - Other; 1 CCA - IPM.

Bring in the Barn Owls

Next up, the focus shifts from insect pests to rodents.

In Vineyard Pest Control with Barn Owls: Using Local Wildlife to Manage Pest Problems, Bob Peak of Pacific Wildlife Care will explore how growers can encourage barn owl populations as part of a vineyard pest management strategy.

Attendees will learn about selecting, designing, and placing nesting boxes, along with the maintenance and monitoring needed to keep them working effectively.

And this session comes with a couple of special guests: two live barn owls will join attendees following the presentation.

The session is approved for 0.75 DPR - Other; 1 CCA - IPM.

Stick Around for Lunch and Meet More Wildlife

The wildlife theme continues into the lunch hour.

From 12:00–1:00 PM, attendees can grab the provided lunch, explore the trade show, enjoy a wine tasting from The Ojai Vineyard, and stop by the Pacific Wildlife Care animal showcase for an up-close look at some of the animals that share California's agricultural landscapes.

Together, the morning offers a closer look at how creating habitat for beneficial wildlife can support pest management while contributing to a healthier vineyard ecosystem.

Practical Pest Management at the Expo

These sessions are part of two days of education at the Sustainable Ag Expo covering pest and disease management, soil health, water, technology, labor, farm economics, and other issues shaping agriculture today.

The Sustainable Ag Expo will be held November 10–11, 2026, at the Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo.

Learn more and register at SustainableAgExpo.org.

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