Bird feeding

daisybeth said:
I agree Barrie, it's a perfect way for containing homemade foodstuff, sadly I have marauding squirrels that take or destroy anything I use to feed my feathered friends. The pigeons also upset my feeders. Another issue is the kestrel. If the birds spend too long in one place feeding [I move my birdtable from time to time] they are fair game for a predators lunch. I used to put out feeders for peanuts etc. but then I would find feathers and such next day as another one bites the dust. We also have a local cat that nabs anything from blue tits to pigeons and, would you believe, a squirrel! I know this for certain as he or she takes them into the open building to eat, leaving me the debris. I'm rather at my wits end as to how I can enjoy my birds these days. All suggestions would be so appreciated. Help! daisybeth.
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Even well fed cats kill birds as they don't do it for food.
Some one said a powerful water pistol will get rid of cats after repeated use (and it doesn't kill them) - as they don't like water. But a more expensive answer, though I haven't tried one, is the RSPB sonic cat deterrent:

Catwatch Cat deterrent | RSPB Wild Bird Care | RSPB Shop
 
DaveinGermany said:
Great minds & all that! I'd suggest the same for the cats, but you'd need to use Ken Homs Chinky cook book for recipes though, anything that says "Chicken in the ingredients should suit. :s_aim1:
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Rubbish! How the heck can I translate, 'take a full chicken and insert into a slow cooker', into, 'take a full tiger and insert into a slow cooker'?

:confused:
 
DaveinGermany said:
Get a bigger slow cooker! :D
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Is that really the best you can do?

I expected far better, here I am with a backlog of cats (and feeling guilty that had I not killed them there would be less pigeons), all you can suggest is for me to increase global warming by having a special slow cooker built?

Some people, huh, no real responsibility, always pushing the need for a solution onto others, typical!
:o
 
Less said:
Is that really the best you can do?
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Right, I didn't want to say this (I'd of thought a clever chap such as yourself would've realised there's a ready source/sauce available without having to have a specially constructed pot made). Visit the local Coven/Jam Mafia & ask them if you can borrow their cauldron & you'll share your bottled/jarred results with them (70/30 should do) & I believe they'll even chuck in the utensils & possibly a stirrer/bottler or 2 to boot! :D
 
Unfortunately when I consulted my copy of Which Witch (the free magazine that explains how to get the most out of your spells, potions & curses) I discovered that the local coven has indeed been taken over by the most fierce and frightening group of necromancers known to mankind, the Women's Institute, (rumours have it that Mr. Hilter called off operation Sea-lion when he discovered what he would really be up against if he invaded) so, I'll pass on that one!

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I have a resident robin but As a bird garden feeder liketo see more unsual visitors.than just pigeons..jays,thrushes,black ring ,blackbirds,brownbirds, black ring birds necks,colourful tits and sparrows..Dont mind a sqiurrel and usual wood pigeon if there just a couple,same for the odd magpie..I find in detering pigeons that size of feed helps..small seeds the pigeons cant get at .
Find Wilkinsons next to open market has reasonably priced varities of different seeds that attract different types.About £2 a kilo..Seem to work too..Unfortunately things like fruit,large nuts nuts and definatery bread attracts the bad lads..rats who are the worst show spolier.......
 
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This morning I have been watching young Blue Tits leaving a nest box I put up in a Mountain Ash tree in our front garden, the parent birds enticed them to leave and to fly up into the leafy branches where they became almost invisible amongst the foliage; We also have a three compartment "Sparrow terrace that has at least one brood of House Sparrow occupants.
Your's a happy Taddy
 
We were on holiday last week in a cottage in Aberfoyle Scotland. There was a large bird table in the garden. On the last day we had some frozen food left and decided to put it out for the birds. The Crows absolutely loved fish cakes and chips. They were taking a full fish cake of the table and coming back for the chips
 
maxthecollie said:
We were on holiday last week in a cottage in Aberfoyle Scotland. There was a large bird table in the garden. On the last day we had some frozen food left and decided to put it out for the birds. The Crows absolutely loved fish cakes and chips. They were taking a full fish cake of the table and coming back for the chips
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And here's me thinking that the Jocks only ate deep fried "Mars Bar's".
 
taddy said:
This morning I have been watching young Blue Tits leaving a nest box I put up in a Mountain Ash tree in our front garden, the parent birds enticed them to leave and to fly up into the leafy branches where they became almost invisible amongst the foliage; We also have a three compartment "Sparrow terrace that has at least one brood of House Sparrow occupants.
Your's a happy Taddy
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I am feeling a little lonely at the moment, all the above mentioned young Blue Tits have now gone to make their way in the big,bad, wide world; I don't think that Blue Tits rear more than one clutch of eggs a year, so I will have to wait until next spring for a hoped for repeat performance. Ah well, never mind, Your's, Taddy. :(:(:(
 
daisybeth said:
Good morning Barrie, many thanks for your words of advice. I'd be glad to hear of the cat deterring plant. A slightly relieved daisybeth!
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Sorry for the delay. only recently got them - they are a Coleus, Canina Green. Put them in a week ago and haven't had a visit from the local pest since. I get mine from the Nursery End garden centre behind Enfield cricket Club.
 
maxthecollie said:
We were on holiday last week in a cottage in Aberfoyle Scotland. There was a large bird table in the garden. On the last day we had some frozen food left and decided to put it out for the birds. The Crows absolutely loved fish cakes and chips. They were taking a full fish cake of the table and coming back for the chips
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Did you see any Eagles on your holiday?

Crows, Magpies, Seagulls and Feral Pigeons will eat almost anything.
 
theres lots of babies on platts lodge at the minute .. had a walk round in the rain today ... some of the babies looked like they were only a couple of days old .. others no mums around .. and others their mums were standing guard while they were pecking away ..
 
Any ideas to out wit a pesky squirrel ? I had two feeders with sun flower hearts in and loved watching the green finch, gold finch and blue tits every day then this flaming squirrel came and chewed around the holes and ate all the seeds on both feeders. I bought some new ones and the same thing happened again. The feeders were those green plastic ones so last week I bought a metal one and blow me it has chewed that too.
 
Rowlf said:
Any ideas to out wit a pesky squirrel ? I had two feeders with sun flower hearts in and loved watching the green finch, gold finch and blue tits every day then this flaming squirrel came and chewed around the holes and ate all the seeds on both feeders. I bought some new ones and the same thing happened again. The feeders were those green plastic ones so last week I bought a metal one and blow me it has chewed that too.
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Just Google squirrel proof bird feeders, there are many types that encloses a feeder within a squirrel proof metal cage. Hope this helps, Your's, Taddy.
 
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