Boundary drama: Neighbour trying to scare birds out my garden? With disco mirrors!?

actually_a_llama

Not very well and needed to rest but my neighbour spent all afternoon banging nails out back to attach these things (pictures below) to the top of the shared boundary fence without permission.

We've taken to feeding the birds out back because we don't go in our garden anymore due to said neighbour. Since this person moved in, our rear windows and garden have been converted into a smoking area. The fumes are chronic.

The birds are, unsurprisingly, not at all bothered by these dazzle screens in the few hours they've been erected - but I'm not convinced this is legal.

They've been strategically put up on almost every fence panel in attempt to dazzle birds in our garden and not theirs - there doesn't seem to be anything on the reverse side. They're also over two metres.

It already felt like this neighbour moved into our garden when they moved in nextdoor... now they won't leave us alone to look out at the birds with our windows shut!?

Does anyone else know the specifics regarding the legalities about this?

I'm obviously not going to touch them - can I just erect my own hanging baskets in front of them or something? These flat disco balls are sun-facing! 🙄

Mr.Generous

Llama, your neighbor is a fruit loop. Just have as little to do with them as possible. I wouldn't put baskets or anything in front of the monstrosities they put up, Richard heads like that will just do something else, move them or escalate in another way. I never cease being amazed by the crazy stuff idiots get up to.

Emmia

actually_a_llama said:

Not very well and needed to rest but my neighbour spent all afternoon banging nails out back to attach these things (pictures below) to the top of the shared boundary fence without permission.

We've taken to feeding the birds out back because we don't go in our garden anymore due to said neighbour. Since this person moved in, our rear windows and garden have been converted into a smoking area. The fumes are chronic.

The birds are, unsurprisingly, not at all bothered by these dazzle screens in the few hours they've been erected - but I'm not convinced this is legal.

They've been strategically put up on almost every fence panel in attempt to dazzle birds in our garden and not theirs - there doesn't seem to be anything on the reverse side. They're also over two metres.

It already felt like this neighbour moved into our garden when they moved in nextdoor... now they won't leave us alone to look out at the birds with our windows shut!?

Does anyone else know the specifics regarding the legalities about this?

I'm obviously not going to touch them - can I just erect my own hanging baskets in front of them or something? These flat disco balls are sun-facing! 🙄

Pop out in the dead of night with a spray can of black paint? That'll take the dazzle off

Brie

Is it your fence?  In that case ask them politely to remove their carp from it as it's been done without your permission.  

Otherwise go for the black paint.

actually_a_llama

Brie said:

Is it your fence?  In that case ask them politely to remove their carp from it as it's been done without your permission.  

Otherwise go for the black paint.

It's a shared fence but they've attached it to their side. I don't know if it makes a difference if it's nailed on their side.

The suggestion of black spray paint made me chuckle.

I'm going to wait and see how bothersome they are when the sun comes up for now. I'm hoping maybe they're temporary for grass seed but the fact they're nailed in doesn't bode well.

Herzlos

They look like they could be quite noisy too if it's all metal.

I'd be making sure to put more bird feeders out to make sure they don't get scared off.

ThisIsWeird

actually_a_llama said:

Not very well and needed to rest but my neighbour spent all afternoon banging nails out back to attach these things (pictures below) to the top of the shared boundary fence without permission.

We've taken to feeding the birds out back because we don't go in our garden anymore due to said neighbour. Since this person moved in, our rear windows and garden have been converted into a smoking area. The fumes are chronic.

The birds are, unsurprisingly, not at all bothered by these dazzle screens in the few hours they've been erected - but I'm not convinced this is legal.

They've been strategically put up on almost every fence panel in attempt to dazzle birds in our garden and not theirs - there doesn't seem to be anything on the reverse side. They're also over two metres.

It already felt like this neighbour moved into our garden when they moved in nextdoor... now they won't leave us alone to look out at the birds with our windows shut!?

Does anyone else know the specifics regarding the legalities about this?

I'm obviously not going to touch them - can I just erect my own hanging baskets in front of them or something? These flat disco balls are sun-facing! 🙄

Hi llama.
That is a statutory nuisance, and very possibly harassment and bullying.
Yes, your neighbour may be bonkers, but that's no excuse - they may equally just be small-minded bullies.
It is completely unacceptable.
Q - does it 'unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use and enjoyment of your home'? Couple it with the smoke (is this cigarette or fires?), surely the answer is an unambiguous 'yes'; they have largely prevented you from enjoying your garden, even from indoors!
This is utterly bonkers, and they need to be stopped.
These reflectors are so absurdly blatant that this should be easy to sort - contact your LA, and they must investigate, and must take action if they agree with that phrase above. If they prevaricate, get your local councillor involved - see if they'll visit when the smoke is obvious too.
Your neighbour has no rational excuse - if they didn't want birds in their own garden, then they should fit them facing the other way, obvs.
Do not take direct or retaliatory action. Do not touch them, do not spray them. Set yourself as being the completely opposite type of person to your neighbour. If these silly things continue, the authorities need to know that only one side is the antagonist. 
It would be useful if you could evidence that you have asked them to take them down, and also to curb the smoke - can you? Eg, by having a witness as you spoke to them (politely, but firmly). Or, ideally, from a CCTV recording. This will likely be the first thing you'll be asked when you take this matter to your LA.
But, these nutjobs will just carry on if they get away with it - they need putting back in their box.

Tell you what - if you are unwell and are trying to rest and recoup at home, I bet your local press would love this story! Sometimes a bit of 'shame' laid on such folk is a good answer - they will knock on their door to ask, "Would you like to explain these reflectors before we go to print...?"

I'd add one caveat - you mentioned, "We've taken to feeding the birds out back because we don't go in our garden anymore due to said neighbour"? Could your 'feeding' be considered 'excessive' by yer average reasonable and impartial person? Do you have a nice bird table, a couple of hanging feeders, that sort of thing, or do you throw a shed-load out on the lawn on a twice-daily basis? One of my neighbours throws out whole rolls for the seagulls, and they regularly (the seagulls...) go on our new flat roof to eat them - the sound inside is astonishing. I just lob them down our garden - that neighb is eccentric, but a nice bloke. NB - this would not justify your neighbour's actions - they are absurd. Laughably so. And needs to be stopped. I mean, if the sun does hit these panels on a breezy day, how different would this be from your neighbour fitting electric discos lights facing into your garden? On any level, that would be unacceptable. Also, your neighb needs to be 'stopped' from thinking they can do such things. Back...in...their...box.

Sapindus

Your neighbour is clearly off their trolley.

But I think the artwork looks quite cool.  I think there's a good chance they won't "dazzle" at all even when the sun comes out, more of a twinkle.  

If it was me I might politely ask why they'd done it, just out of curiosity, not expressing any annoyance.  There must be more to what looks like an attempt at intimidation - do they feel wronged by you in some way or are they trying to bully you into selling up part of your garden, for instance?

prowla

Maybe they're suggesting you should paint your fence a nice colour?

eddddy

actually_a_llama said:

It's a shared fence but they've attached it to their side. I don't know if it makes a difference if it's nailed on their side.

Out of interest, why do you say it's a shared fence - as opposed to one neighbour or the other owning it?

Is there some kind of document that says you jointly own it?


But more generally, I agree that the best solution might be to ignore the disco reflectors. I suspect that part of the reason for putting them up was to annoy you and provoke a reaction from you.

So if you appear unannoyed and don't react, the neighbour might get bored with doing silly stunts.

user1977

ThisIsWeird said:

actually_a_llama said:

Not very well and needed to rest but my neighbour spent all afternoon banging nails out back to attach these things (pictures below) to the top of the shared boundary fence without permission.

We've taken to feeding the birds out back because we don't go in our garden anymore due to said neighbour. Since this person moved in, our rear windows and garden have been converted into a smoking area. The fumes are chronic.

The birds are, unsurprisingly, not at all bothered by these dazzle screens in the few hours they've been erected - but I'm not convinced this is legal.

They've been strategically put up on almost every fence panel in attempt to dazzle birds in our garden and not theirs - there doesn't seem to be anything on the reverse side. They're also over two metres.

It already felt like this neighbour moved into our garden when they moved in nextdoor... now they won't leave us alone to look out at the birds with our windows shut!?

Does anyone else know the specifics regarding the legalities about this?

I'm obviously not going to touch them - can I just erect my own hanging baskets in front of them or something? These flat disco balls are sun-facing! 🙄

contact your LA, and they must investigate, and must take action if they agree with that phrase above.

Citation required. Local authorities do not have infinite resources to sort out every daft dispute between neighbours. And if it does constitute a legal nuisance, the OP can take legal action themselves rather than try to persuade the council to do so.

OP should also consider either form of action would undoubtedly make it a dispute which they'd have to disclose when selling (assuming they own).