B
Big Tone
I’m being driven nuts by pigeons!
I have been trying to encourage birds into my garden for a year or more and after a long time and much patience, (and food they just leave to rot), I’ve got them to realise there’s grub in my garden for them at last.
I’m getting blackbirds, starlings, robins, blue t1ts, thrushes and the humble sparrow, to name most. But all that’s happening is I put food out and these big fat bloody 'tree rats' swoop down and scoff it.
The other birds are hardly getting a look in.
One thing I’ll say about pigeons, they have incredible eyesight!
I have only to move in my shaded living room from the armchair and they spot me through the blinds making a move towards the sliding door and fly off, but I can’t keep vigil like that of course and obviously not when I’m at work.
Now I have been thinking how to get around this...
You can put fat balls in hanging cages but again most birds have a birdbrain and don’t seem to know it’s there. The only bird I’ve seen cotton-on to that one is the blue t1t. They must have a higher IQ or something. If I crumble it on the lawn everyone tucks-in. So the fatties can't get a grip on those cages but only one type benefits from it.
I’ve got a fancy table with provision for five of these dangly things but they like or favour eating off a flat surface like the lawn or the small table on my bird tree, which the pigeons also have access to.
So I was thinking of making a wire ‘tent’, maybe the hole size of a wire fence, which would prevent the fatties getting through. It may also serve as protection from the million cats I have in my neighbourhood.
My concern is that I don’t want to harm anything; I don’t want anything getting caught. I read that the balls of food you get in the plastic net is bad on its own and small birds can get their legs caught in them and even cut one off as they struggle free.
The safe way is to put them in a proper cage, so I’m told, which I’ve done. At least the t1ts appreciate that.
It’s been very interesting seeing the habits so far...
The blackbirds often come down in twos, male and female. They have a funny pattern of eating whereby they run forward, have a peck and run back then start again. Oh they love peanuts too, it’s their favourite I think; that and bread.
Starlings always come en masse, in groups of seven or more. Protection in numbers perhaps, like meercats?
The only bird I’ve seen having a drinkies is the robin. Cute little thing dips his beak in the water and you see a big blob on the end and you wonder if he’s ever going to swallow, then suddenly he slurps it in. They come right up to my door, fearless little things or maybe dreadful eyesight. I’ve yet to see one having a bath in my garden which is always sweet to see. I've seen pigeons land on the water bowl and practically tip it over. Lard asses'
So it’s all been worth the wait but I’m ready to give in because all I feel I’m doing is feeding pigeons. Anyone ever built something to help please?
I'm not gay or anything BTW
I have been trying to encourage birds into my garden for a year or more and after a long time and much patience, (and food they just leave to rot), I’ve got them to realise there’s grub in my garden for them at last.
I’m getting blackbirds, starlings, robins, blue t1ts, thrushes and the humble sparrow, to name most. But all that’s happening is I put food out and these big fat bloody 'tree rats' swoop down and scoff it.
One thing I’ll say about pigeons, they have incredible eyesight!
Now I have been thinking how to get around this...
You can put fat balls in hanging cages but again most birds have a birdbrain and don’t seem to know it’s there. The only bird I’ve seen cotton-on to that one is the blue t1t. They must have a higher IQ or something. If I crumble it on the lawn everyone tucks-in. So the fatties can't get a grip on those cages but only one type benefits from it.
I’ve got a fancy table with provision for five of these dangly things but they like or favour eating off a flat surface like the lawn or the small table on my bird tree, which the pigeons also have access to.
So I was thinking of making a wire ‘tent’, maybe the hole size of a wire fence, which would prevent the fatties getting through. It may also serve as protection from the million cats I have in my neighbourhood.
My concern is that I don’t want to harm anything; I don’t want anything getting caught. I read that the balls of food you get in the plastic net is bad on its own and small birds can get their legs caught in them and even cut one off as they struggle free.
It’s been very interesting seeing the habits so far...
The blackbirds often come down in twos, male and female. They have a funny pattern of eating whereby they run forward, have a peck and run back then start again. Oh they love peanuts too, it’s their favourite I think; that and bread.
Starlings always come en masse, in groups of seven or more. Protection in numbers perhaps, like meercats?
The only bird I’ve seen having a drinkies is the robin. Cute little thing dips his beak in the water and you see a big blob on the end and you wonder if he’s ever going to swallow, then suddenly he slurps it in. They come right up to my door, fearless little things or maybe dreadful eyesight. I’ve yet to see one having a bath in my garden which is always sweet to see. I've seen pigeons land on the water bowl and practically tip it over. Lard asses'
So it’s all been worth the wait but I’m ready to give in because all I feel I’m doing is feeding pigeons. Anyone ever built something to help please?
I'm not gay or anything BTW