The Dangers Of Bird Feeders

My cat refuses to go into the garden unless I'm on hand to scare off the woodpigeons and the magpies first.

My mother's cat once made the mistake of making a play for a magpie. Its mate swooped down and gave the cat a comprehensive trashing. It went into hiding under the kitchen table for several days afterwards to get over the trauma. I've had a sneaking admiration for the birds ever since.

 

Oh dear, poor pusscat !
My mothers large male cat concedes to the magpies every time too !

 

It was possible on the old board, but this one won't allow it for some reason

All done now

 

Ahh, thanks Ziggy :D

 

When I first took on my land and started my little eco project, I put lots of bird feeders out one saturday afternoon. I went back the next day, to find they'd all been trashed. I'd used the plastic ones like in the pics. I knew the squirrels would figure them out eventually, but in less than 24 hours they'd broke in, destroying the feeders, and took the food.

So I replaced them with home made feeders. I used steel mesh of the type used for aviaries, and ply wood for the base and lid, with some nylon rope to hook them onto the trees. I was up for hours building them. I took them up to my land the next saturday, proudly filled them with seed, and hung them in strategic places. The next day I went up again. The feeders were not in the trees. They were on the floor, with the lids open and the seed gone. There were a few nibble marks in the plywood base and lids, but the main damage was the chewed nylon rope. The squirrels had clearly tried to break in, and on failing to do so, had worked out that if they can get the feeders to fall down (by chewing through the rope), then they might just pop open.

Clever creatures squirrels.

I gave up on putting bird feeders out after that.

 

I also have one of those here and yes, they're good. The woodpidgeons perform acrobatics trying to get to the feeders which is amusing to watch, saw one hang upside down like a bat a few weeks ago and that was hilarious - but ingenious !

 

Talking of feeders and feeding ......

I have noticed a massive increase in consumption over the last couple of weeks - have others noticed this too ?
It's always a busy restaurant that i run here but just lately business has boomed :WINK1:
There are the youngsters, aswell as the adults, eating for England !!!

 

Saw a blackbird chasing a cat today, now THATS hungry:D

 

has anyone got a picture of a feeder for collard doves that wont let pigeons magpies and crows on.In summer we dont get many small birds but we do in winter!
We do like to feed the doves but can not keep up with the clientele they just dont stop especially the pigeons.

 

Hmmm, i don't know of a specific one for them.

I used to have 4 collared doves here but the bruddy sparrowhawk seems to get them all

 

Over the last couple of years we have watched a pair hatch 6 broods a year they bring the young over for a couple of days to feed before they chase them off,Their nest is very feeble more like a few twigs,i honestly dont know how they manage to stay on it especially in the winds but they do.
Also we have had a albino magpie around for 5 months now poor thing gets attacked by the crows and magie's but is still going strong!