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Post by wildlifefriendly on Dec 13, 2011 10:03:13 GMT
I saw lots of starlings flying into the garden next door i hope she wasnt throwing bread out for them a few came in my garden to have a drink and a bath but i dont see any birds very often only the pidgeons on the roofs i stopped throwing seed out on the patio as mice were eating it the birds dont seem to like eating seeds out of containers You could try hanging peanuts up, this will attract Blue, Great, Cole and Long-tailed Tits and Finches, and the mice couldn't get them. |
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Post by Geranium on Dec 13, 2011 12:50:38 GMT
I filled all the containers and put food out this morning - no sign of rats yet!  The rat trap is empty again, so I'll have to add more bait. |
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Post by Cherry on Dec 13, 2011 14:22:40 GMT
You are winning Geranium. The rats are probably too wonky to go to the bird food and the bait is meant to be really tasty for rates. Poor things, but it has to be done.
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Post by Geranium on Dec 13, 2011 14:57:11 GMT
Iagree - I don't like killing creatures, but rats - there I draw a line.   |
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Post by Louise on Dec 13, 2011 15:14:50 GMT
I saw lots of starlings flying into the garden next door i hope she wasnt throwing bread out for them a few came in my garden to have a drink and a bath but i dont see any birds very often only the pidgeons on the roofs i stopped throwing seed out on the patio as mice were eating it the birds dont seem to like eating seeds out of containers You could try hanging peanuts up, this will attract Blue, Great, Cole and Long-tailed Tits and Finches, and the mice couldn't get them. The woman in the house behind me hung them up ages ago and hasn't replaced them, they'll be moudly and rancid by now. What makes people think that birds will eat mouldy and stale food ? ? ?  Would they eat it, no, so why expect birds to eat it ?  |
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Post by Cherry on Dec 14, 2011 7:01:58 GMT
I wonder why the feeders in the house behind are not being used before they go mouldy. I am now throwing out cut cooking apples which have been saved for the birds. The blackbirds like them.
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Post by grindle on Dec 14, 2011 7:04:49 GMT
I gave up putting peanuts out here, they just didn't get eaten and always ended up going mouldy
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Post by Louise on Dec 14, 2011 7:36:34 GMT
I wonder why the feeders in the house behind are not being used before they go mouldy. I am now throwing out cut cooking apples which have been saved for the birds. The blackbirds like them. I think a couple of reasons. One being that she's sited her bird table (with nuts hanging beneath) in the middle of the garden and opposite her patio doors. This means 2 things - it's far too open, birds like their feeders nestled in bushes so they've got cover when predators swoop - and they will when a feeding station's exposed like that. Secondly, there's always movement near those patio doors as the woman walks past them. I know it's nice to watch the birds feeding close-up but this kind of siting is wrong. Site the feeders near dense coverage and buy yourself a pair of lightweight binoculars and watch them like that. This way the birds and you are winners. |
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Post by Cherry on Dec 14, 2011 9:53:36 GMT
That is good sensible advice, but it it ordinary common sense too. Anyone who goes to the trouble of feeding their garden birds, should know that they need cover.
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Post by Geranium on Dec 14, 2011 11:35:59 GMT
A lot of people don't understand that, Cherry. Next door stuck a feeder on their window with no cover within at least 10m. It's gone now - I'm sure no birds ever went there.
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Post by peony on Dec 14, 2011 11:46:38 GMT
If you live in area like me with lots of grey squirrels its pointless to put feeders in trees. I've placed mine within easy reach of shrubs and trees, but far enough away so the squirrels can't jump the gap, and I get lots of birds feeding, and if they see the sparrowhawk or the cats they can quickly get to shelter.
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Post by lesley on Dec 14, 2011 12:20:34 GMT
We dint have many squirrels but we do have sea gulls, both sides of me throw bread on the lawn for them, this makes me very cross they make such a noise when there around. not only that it entices rats and mice. |
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Post by grindle on Dec 15, 2011 6:12:22 GMT
I know how you feel Les, I lived for years with seagulls, and I can honestly say they are a pain  |
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Post by Louise on Dec 15, 2011 6:50:18 GMT
That is good sensible advice, but it it ordinary common sense too. Anyone who goes to the trouble of feeding their garden birds, should know that they need cover. A second point, and one i forgot to make, is that most urban feeders probably have sunflower seeds or sunflower hearts in them these days, peanuts therefore being a less than perfect choice for the birds. Sunflower hearts are the tastiest choice and the highest yield of fat and protein so certainly here next doors peanuts aren't going to get many takers. The lady there has been into my garden, seen the seeds and feeders and was prompted to put up bird food from that - but peanuts, not seeds ...... so, i think these are the reasons why they've been untouched. |
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Post by Geranium on Dec 15, 2011 13:24:00 GMT
I'm pleased to say that I checked the bait in the rat trap this morning, and it's untouched. The birds are back on the feeders now, as well.  |
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The rat trap is empty again, so I'll have to add more bait.
