I have to get myself one of these water scarers the local cats shift when I open the back door now but I don't know what they get up to when I'm not around (well, maybe I do and don't want to think about it) and that would give them a fright.
I don't get enough pigeons to be a problem really, have to net the beets and keep them off the peas but otherwise they aren't much of a problem. The parrots are just v noisy! And there a couple of flocks (is that the collective noun for parrots?) of about 20 per flock. It is their high pitched squawking that is annoying, they sit at the top of a tree and shout to each other.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
Ive just added a new and much larger feeder to my garden. Its a 7 port Apollo feeder from CJ Wildlife and comes apart easily for cleaning, no tools needed. Its also got ventilation holes which they claim reduce internal condensation? It has a metal top, bottom and feeding ports so should be safe from squirrels.
herbaceous - I can't recommend it enough. Wish I'd got it as soon as I moved in but I had no outside tap. It's only the cheap one - the good ones are around £80/90, but it has been fantastic.
It's also very entertaining when the pigeons or squirrels set it off! The woodies are so heavy they take ages to get in the air, so if they fly the wrong way they just get a good shower
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
LF, my squirrels would have that down in no time. I have resorted to the clip at the end of a dog's lead (2 of them) to stop the squirrels both removing and opening the "squirrel proof! feeder. They have yet to master opening the clip. . .
I've used that sort of fitting too Joyce. I think the trigger hooks are the easiest for us mere mortals to open . I expect that's what the dog leads have?
Now that I have my 'cage', the squirrels have to be content with the scraps though
I do give them some peanuts in a feeder in winter though. I'm all heart...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What dull lives we lead here - no squirrels, parakeets, foxes or badgers - and what did I always wish to see when visiting England.......exactly those things - along with trains, mountains and a river or two. Just as visitors to our island always rush to the seaside - we must be grateful for what we have I guess but the grass is always greener on the other side isn't it?
No grass at all GD2 if you had squirrels, parakeets, foxes and badgers
I'm sure you think it is exciting but they can be very challenging, not just the bird food theft or veg destruction. I had a lovely pair of waterproofed suede mules for use in the garden, kept them by the backdoor (some years before backdoor shoes were 'the thing' though they are plastic) to slip out in with my slug scissors or whatever.
They got very muddy so I washed them and left them to dry in the garden, my fault I know 'cos I forgot about them. Next morning one of them was chewed past redemption and now I have the standard plastic kind which make rude noises as I go down the garden. Enjoy the peace GD2.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
hi to all bird feeders most of us all have same problem we all want the birds to come to our garden my wife is the same but with the collard doves and woodies also lots of tree sparrows and dunnets the loads we get seem to be chaseing away the finches /blue tits coal so we try and not put so much out the birds are waiting for wife to let lab out of kennel they fly down and land on kennel roof waiting she can put it out and they are a hand away eating . on a other note we get a few slugs and I put them on roof birds not interested want the good seed Michael
Posts
I have to get myself one of these water scarers
the local cats shift when I open the back door now but I don't know what they get up to when I'm not around (well, maybe I do and don't want to think about it) and that would give them a fright.
I don't get enough pigeons to be a problem really, have to net the beets and keep them off the peas but otherwise they aren't much of a problem. The parrots are just v noisy! And there a couple of flocks (is that the collective noun for parrots?) of about 20 per flock. It is their high pitched squawking that is annoying, they sit at the top of a tree and shout to each other.
Ive just added a new and much larger feeder to my garden. Its a 7 port Apollo feeder from CJ Wildlife and comes apart easily for cleaning, no tools needed. Its also got ventilation holes which they claim reduce internal condensation? It has a metal top, bottom and feeding ports so should be safe from squirrels.
http://www.birdfood.co.uk/ctrl/node:122;product_group:312;/apollo_seed_feeders#.V3jqdrQ4_rc
Here it is in my garden
Last edited: 03 July 2016 11:40:02
That is magnificent LeadFarmer! I like the idea of no tool cleaning, The screw in mine drives me nuts.
It would probably be too much for the parrots but the squirrel would have his paw in there in no time, lovely feeder though.
Too busy looking at your lovely garden LF
Impressive feeder though. Less refilling!
herbaceous - I can't recommend it enough. Wish I'd got it as soon as I moved in but I had no outside tap. It's only the cheap one - the good ones are around £80/90, but it has been fantastic.
It's also very entertaining when the pigeons or squirrels set it off! The woodies are so heavy they take ages to get in the air, so if they fly the wrong way they just get a good shower
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
LF, my squirrels would have that down in no time. I have resorted to the clip at the end of a dog's lead (2 of them) to stop the squirrels both removing and opening the "squirrel proof! feeder. They have yet to master opening the clip. . .
I've used that sort of fitting too Joyce. I think the trigger hooks are the easiest for us mere mortals to open . I expect that's what the dog leads have?
Now that I have my 'cage', the squirrels have to be content with the scraps though
I do give them some peanuts in a feeder in winter though. I'm all heart...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That comment (re foxes) made me laugh philippa, although I think I'd prefer foxes as neighbours than some of the wazzers round here
You're right though. 'Man' interfering as usual. We cause most, if not all, of the disasters that happen anywhere in the world
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What dull lives we lead here - no squirrels, parakeets, foxes or badgers - and what did I always wish to see when visiting England.......exactly those things - along with trains, mountains and a river or two. Just as visitors to our island always rush to the seaside - we must be grateful for what we have I guess but the grass is always greener on the other side isn't it?
No grass at all GD2 if you had squirrels, parakeets, foxes and badgers
I'm sure you think it is exciting but they can be very challenging, not just the bird food theft or veg destruction. I had a lovely pair of waterproofed suede mules for use in the garden, kept them by the backdoor (some years before backdoor shoes were 'the thing' though they are plastic) to slip out in with my slug scissors or whatever.
They got very muddy so I washed them and left them to dry in the garden, my fault I know 'cos I forgot about them. Next morning one of them was chewed past redemption
and now I have the standard plastic kind which make rude noises as I go down the garden. Enjoy the peace GD2.
hi to all bird feeders most of us all have same problem we all want the birds to come to our garden my wife is the same but with the collard doves and woodies also lots of tree sparrows and dunnets the loads we get seem to be chaseing away the finches /blue tits coal so we try and not put so much out the birds are waiting for wife to let lab out of kennel they fly down and land on kennel roof waiting she can put it out and they are a hand away eating . on a other note we get a few slugs and I put them on roof birds not interested want the good seed Michael