Wildlife in our gardens

~Chameleon~

Any chance you can keep your cat indoors unless you're outside to supervise? I know that's much easier said than done, on the other hand get a water pistol/sprayer and whenever you see your cat trying to approach the nest then give it (the cat!) a spray. It will soon learn the robins are off limits

I have two cats and numerous birds nesting in the garden but the cats know the birds are a no go area (they hunt mice instead!) and will happily sit watching them from a few feet away.

mary43

chameleon - how do you stop your cats taking an interest in birds ? Our oldest one has got to the age where she really can't be bother but the younger two are always on the alert and I've had a few corpses left on the doorstep. I shout at them if they go near the trees where I know the birds congregate but I think they can be a bit like kids.......in one ear out the other if you see what I mean. Works at the time then as soon as my backs turned they're back again.
I did hear once that its a good idea, if you have cats encourage as many birds to the garden as possible................if the cats go to attack one of them, whichever sort, the others will give out loud warning signals frightening the cats away.
I did think of putting collars on the cats but tried it once and they went mad -not happy with them at all and there's always the risk they'll get them caught on something

~Chameleon~

mary43 wrote: »

chameleon - how do you stop your cats taking an interest in birds ?

I doubt it's possible to stop all cats, after all it's instinct to chase and kill them, but I think you can train cats to an extent. With mine they've always been told off for "chattering" or getting ready to pounce if a bird comes near them so I suppose they've just got used to it over the years. The younger one does occasionally take an interest if one gets too close but I just have to growl "don't you dare" and she turns to start washing herself as if to say "I wasn't looking at them mum, honest!" :rotfl:

Must admit, we did have several casualties before they learnt not to touch them but that was many years ago

mary43

Hopefully the birds just might be too quick for them or they'll get fed up trying. Expect them they'll start on the frogs in the pond.............lol

peter_the_piper

Whilst its fairly normal for us to have birds in the kitchen/greenhouse, including woodpeckers and sparrowhawks, removing a swallow today from the MIL's kitchen was a first.

Gingernutmeg

I started feeding the birds when I moved in here about six months ago, and now I've got a regular crowd of sparrows, blue tits, great tits, robins and a lovely cheeky blackbird (and his missus) - not bad for urban SE London. I think too that I've got a pair of blue tits nesting in the pipe lagging just outside my kitchen window, if they do I'll be absolutely delighted . I've been watching them pop in and out all day lol. Would they appreciate some mealworms too, or is there anything I can put out for them to help?

~Chameleon~

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Whilst its fairly normal for us to have birds in the kitchen/greenhouse, including woodpeckers and sparrowhawks, removing a swallow today from the MIL's kitchen was a first.

I haven't even seen any swallows yet this year, although there have been reports of sightings of swallows and swifts around the country this weekend. I'm eagerly awaiting the return of my house martins as I love watching them throughout the summer.

~Chameleon~

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

I started feeding the birds when I moved in here about six months ago, and now I've got a regular crowd of sparrows, blue tits, great tits, robins and a lovely cheeky blackbird (and his missus) - not bad for urban SE London. I think too that I've got a pair of blue tits nesting in the pipe lagging just outside my kitchen window, if they do I'll be absolutely delighted . I've been watching them pop in and out all day lol. Would they appreciate some mealworms too, or is there anything I can put out for them to help?

Yes!!! mealworms are a great source of protein and one of the best food sources for little baby birds whilst they're growing. I always put some out every day and even have the blackbirds and robins waiting for me to feed them now

tanith

I love this kind of thread... I currently have 2 day old robin chicks in my garden shed.. the robins nested in my ivy last year but this year have taken residence in my shed... I have watched them build it over 2 weeks then they laid at least 4 eggs . If I keep watch I can see when both parents have flown off for food and snuck in and took a picture If I knew how I would post it... they go in the shed by a 2inch gap above the door and and the nest is just perfect with at least 4 babies ... they are safe from cats in there but I have no idea how the babies will get out...

I spent best part of the day watching them yesterday its better than telly...

Also have a blackbird that uses my tadpole nursery for his morning bath and a pair if ring necked doves....

I heard about meal worms for the babies but I have no idea where to get them ? anybody?

Jack's_mummy

We seem to have the country's quota of sparrows in our garden. They queue up on the whippy top bits of next doors hedge waiting in turn to feed.

Also have a pair of blackbirds that are getting very brave and much to my delight we have just started to see a songthrush hopping along under our hedge - bye bye snails