WHAT ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY 2023

@Balc, not being nosey but if you rent you might be able to get the building owner to do something.
I think it's considered a health hazard.
Either way it might be worth asking the council environmental health department.

 

Hi,

You're most welcome @Sheal Good idea about a bird of prey I think a "Klingon warship" would do the trick.

Spot on @Balc I couldn't agree more. Yesterday I had the ladders up the three trees again to remove the useless reflective bird scaring tape which annoyed me more the than pigeons. The pigeons won't take the hint to get lost so I'm looking at other options

I've already served bailiff eviction notices on the pigeons on the grounds they haven't paid rent for the two tree branches; they are noisy and are trashing all around them; they've got until nesting season is over.

Until then I'm looking at other methods to persuade these vermin they are not welcome;



Taking your excellent idea a step forward @Sheal I could buy one of these drones and fit it with a miniature transmitter broadcasting bird of prey sounds or for less money an helium filled small balloon on a string camouflaged to look like a Kestrel and play the bird of prey sound from the garden hut directly under the trees.

I've already mentioned shooting an arrow from a longbow with string attached over the tree branches by both nests then pull a heavy rope over and use the rope to bounce the branch up and down to bring the nest down for me to dispose of; if the pigeons are home so much the better I'd like to take them to our local tip; I'm absolutely sick of their unwelcome company; other birds are very welcome.

As a last resort I've got two well used 20" petrol chainsaws; these low life manure spreaders are now on my radar.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Did a lot more planting out this morning and put in plant supports and stakes...before they are required which is unusual for me. Taking a leaf from @Selleri 's book......but agree labels is pushing it too far!!

It became too hot for me and I began to feel faint in the sun. Fortunately I'm off out now for the afternoon, so won't be tempted back out there ...might do an hour this evening.

 

Today I have been rather busy on the balcony repotting some plants that needed moving to bigger pots. I started with the one I was most dreading - the Fuchsia 'Garden News' I'm training as a standard. Why was I dreading it you ask? Well I was dreading breaking some of the branches that make up the head, especially since I stopped pinching them out & now I can see flower buds in the tips of the stems. I knew I would have to lay it down on the balcony floor to get it out of its old pot & then into the new one. Being as there is so little room to move I was sure I'd damage some of the branches by hitting them against something. But no, I didn't break anything, at least as far as I could see when I finished, only time will tell if I've broken anything. I've put it up against the balcony railing I just hope we don't get any strong winds for a few months at least so as to give it a chance to harden the wood & conserve the shape for a few years.

I forgot to take a picture of the finished plant but I did get a photo of the head, rather closer up than I thought when taking it. I'll see if I can get a photo tomorrow.
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I repotted some Geraniums as well this morning. They are variegated one as I like to get Geraniums that are not too "run of the mill". Two of them are plants I got for my birthday a few weeks ago when my son took me to a plant nursery, 'Chocolate' & 'Madame Salieron'. The 'Occold Shield' was a plant I bought 2 years ago when he took me to another nursery. It just screamed at me 'Please buy me!"

The one without a name came from some green & white Geraniums I've grown on the balcony these past 20 years. One year they started to produce these green stems with a very pronounced dark zone which I find attractive. So instead of throwing them away I propagated them & have several plants. It's a very strong grower & flowers very well, too.


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Hi,

Thanks for the useful suggestion Andy; my latest idea is possibly the easiest if it works; I'm unsure how long the telescopic window cleaners are but I'll have a look; one of these fully extended with a large metal hook attached to the top end could hook onto the nest branch; I've got a chainsaw safety helmet to protect me from debris. Alternatively I can use long lengths of 2" x 1" softwood screwed together to give sufficient length again adding a strong metal hook; I've been looking at the tree this afternoon and whatever method I use is going to be difficult; I'll take then post pictures.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

They have them in the allotments behind us, certainly doesn't deter the birds.

 

Started planting out around the path border.

 

How about this @Retired ?

Buy Defenders Hawk Bird Scaring Kite | Pest control | Argos

 

Hi,

Many thanks @Sheal for your useful suggestion; I've had a look but the reviews are mixed with two stating don't buy they don't work scaring pigeons.



What a dilemma I now have; I've been browsing online about this pigeon problem and it appears I could end up with a prison life sentence if I even touch their nest about the same level of crime here in the UK as not having a current TV license?

Pigeons are protected by law meaning the can poo and coo as mush as they like which of course they are so good at but I can't do a thing about it. It's not the pigeons I dislike so much just the sheer amount of mess they make; I'll never willfully hurt them it's not in my nature I couldn't even wait until nesting season is over to remove an empty nest; they lay eggs all your round; every way I look at it the pigeons have more rights on our property than we do.

I'm sure I read years ago our local council employed a guy to use an air rifle to reduce pigeon numbers but then the council and government pass laws but they don't have to adhere to them.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

Im not 100% sure but i think you can destroy nests and eggs, and cull feral pigeons and wood pigeons under general licence 41 + 42 as they spread disease i may be wrong though.

 

The manager on the orchards used to shoot them occasionally to stop them nesting in the buildings.

 

I think we should live & let live as that is nature.

 

Pigeon Pest Control and the Law - PCRC






The only time culling might be allowed is if they got in under the house roof/ attic.