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Crows

  • 05-03-2011 10:06pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭


    Hey, don't know if I should post this here or animal and pet issues, so mods feel free to move if necessary. Since a bypass was built around our town, crows have been coming to nest in the trees in our garden. Every evening, literally hundreds of crows fly into the trees in front of our house. The path in front of our house has been completely destroyed with bird poo and our cars are covered in bird poo every day, so we have to wash them several times a week.

    Is there any way to stop them from coming in to nest in the trees. If we clap or shout they all fly away but come back within two minutes. They are completely wrecking the public path and our cars! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,807 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    lizt wrote: »
    Hey, don't know if I should post this here or animal and pet issues, so mods feel free to move if necessary. Since a bypass was built around our town, crows have been coming to nest in the trees in our garden. Every evening, literally hundreds of crows fly into the trees in front of our house. The path in front of our house has been completely destroyed with bird poo and our cars are covered in bird poo every day, so we have to wash them several times a week.

    Is there any way to stop them from coming in to nest in the trees. If we clap or shout they all fly away but come back within two minutes. They are completely wrecking the public path and our cars! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

    A large raptor cut-out with an accompanying soundtrack placed in a stratigic location

    PS: How long is your house built??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭LizT


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    A large raptor cut-out with an accompanying soundtrack placed in a stratigic location

    PS: How long is your house built??

    The house is just over 100 years old, there are a lot of trees at the front of it. Don't know if it would be possible to place a soundtrack out there, the trees would be far enough away from the house.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    Moved from Nature & Birdwatching, I think there'll be a better response here


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,489 ✭✭✭sh1tstirrer


    These kites are supposed to keep crows away.
    http://www.birdcontrol.net/html/Hawkkite.htm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 147 ✭✭loser2old4board


    They start building nests almost to the day on the first of March.
    This goes on for few weeks and I suppose the lay eggs and hatch out etc.
    If you can suffer it out for about two months it won't be nearly as bad then.
    I have loads of them around the back of my house but I kind of ignore them.
    Also the leaves come on the trees so that catches a lot of their droppings.
    Occasional direct hits on my car and house windows but I'm not too bothered.
    If you need to take drastic action then maybe get somebody to shoot at them
    or just near them. ( Assuming you are not in a built up area.) This will frighten them off. Also if you kill one or find a dead one hang that up high where they can see it and that frightens them off.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭LizT


    They start building nests almost to the day on the first of March.
    This goes on for few weeks and I suppose the lay eggs and hatch out etc.
    If you can suffer it out for about two months it won't be nearly as bad then.
    I have loads of them around the back of my house but I kind of ignore them.
    Also the leaves come on the trees so that catches a lot of their droppings.
    Occasional direct hits on my car and house windows but I'm not too bothered.
    If you need to take drastic action then maybe get somebody to shoot at them
    or just near them. ( Assuming you are not in a built up area.) This will frighten them off. Also if you kill one or find a dead one hang that up high where they can see it and that frightens them off.

    They come in every year at the end of September and stay until March. There's about 300 of them! It's been the same for the past few years. We're in a built up area so shooting is not really an option. Literally not a day goes by that we don't get their droppings on the car.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    lizt wrote: »
    They come in every year at the end of September and stay until March. There's about 300 of them! It's been the same for the past few years. We're in a built up area so shooting is not really an option. Literally not a day goes by that we don't get their droppings on the car.
    You want to get rid of them (crows/nests), because of bird dropping on your car and footpaths:mad::mad::mad: If you had a valid reason like crop damage or sheep being attacked then maybe you would have a valid reason. You just being selfish......


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    In Ireland there are few natural predators of crows.
    In Australia- this is not the case. You can hop on the internet and download (or order) a soundtrack of one of the natural predators for crows. Apparently its startling how effective it is (I haven't had cause to try it out, so I can't speak from personal experience). As ever- google is most probably your friend on this one.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,296 ✭✭✭leg wax


    cut the trees down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    You want to get rid of them (crows/nests), because of bird dropping on your car and footpaths:mad::mad::mad: If you had a valid reason like crop damage or sheep being attacked then maybe you would have a valid reason. You just being selfish......

    Actually bird droppings damage paintwork, and the noise alone is high from that number of crows. And the probable effect on songbirds.

    And birds are by no means disease free.

    This is the OP's home, not a bird reserve.

    We have crows here too; the house was empty a long while so they were left in peace. They are less keen to stay now as our dogs and cats chase them off thankfully. I am hoping they they choose other trees to nest in accordingly.

    There are plenty of tall trees around just as good as ours

    We use the same deterrent methods as for magpies; banging pan lids under the trees they are starting to nest in several times a day helps.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    Buzzards, Sparrowhawks and Peregrines will all take crows especially young crows. Our newest arrivals (Golden Eagle, Red Kite, Sea Eagle and Goshawk) will also happily kill cows...........[/QUOTE]


    A typo ? or not?;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    Graces7 wrote: »
    Actually bird droppings damage paintwork, and the noise alone is high from that number of crows. And the probable effect on songbirds.
    Wash it off so, don't be so lazy.
    And birds are by no means disease free.
    The Goldfinches, Redpoll, Greenfinch, Robin, Sparrowhawk, Chafffinch, jackdaw, hooded crow, hedge sparrow, house sparrow, Collarded Dove etc in my garden should all be driven from my garden so:(. Not very Christian of you
    This is the OP's home, not a bird reserve.
    A mé féiner attitude. If everybody took that attitude, they would be hardly any wildlife left in the country
    We have crows here too; the house was empty a long while so they were left in peace. They are less keen to stay now as our dogs and cats chase them off thankfully. I am hoping they they choose other trees to nest in accordingly.
    There are plenty of tall trees around just as good as ours
    Another selfish reason.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,389 ✭✭✭mattjack


    what a garden you have with all those birds Fergal..well worth a visit...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,258 ✭✭✭Tora Bora


    leg wax wrote: »
    cut the trees down.

    ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,634 ✭✭✭TooManyDogs


    It might be worthwhile taking to an agriculture supply shop. I'm living in a rural area where there's a lot of veggie farming and they use crow scarers to keep crows off the crops. It's a hydraulic machine that makes banging noises like a shot gun. The bangs go off at random intervals, I think you buy cartridges for it. That might help, you'll have no other birds in the garden either though......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,954 ✭✭✭homerhop


    They work off gas cylinders.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,964 ✭✭✭ToniTuddle


    These kites are supposed to keep crows away.
    http://www.birdcontrol.net/html/Hawkkite.htm

    This looks to be the best option!
    Doesn't cause any noise and is pretty cheap.

    Only problem is on calm days there may be no wind.
    It might be worthwhile taking to an agriculture supply shop. I'm living in a rural area where there's a lot of veggie farming and they use crow scarers to keep crows off the crops. It's a hydraulic machine that makes banging noises like a shot gun. The bangs go off at random intervals, I think you buy cartridges for it. That might help, you'll have no other birds in the garden either though......

    Her neighbours won't thank her for those bangers! :D
    Actually her neighbours might end up calling the council or guards giving out about it :eek: They are fierce annoying and scare the crap out of dogs and cats nearby too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭joyce2009


    put up a carport...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭LizT


    Wash it off so, don't be so lazy.

    We wash the cars at least 2-3 times a week already because of the bird droppings. I wouldn't call that being lazy.

    Everyone else, thanks for your replies, I think we'll look into getting one of those kite things. Our house is in a built up area so I'm not sure if a soundtrack would be suitable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭Baralis1


    Wash it off so, don't be so lazy.


    The Goldfinches, Redpoll, Greenfinch, Robin, Sparrowhawk, Chafffinch, jackdaw, hooded crow, hedge sparrow, house sparrow, Collarded Dove etc in my garden should all be driven from my garden so:(. Not very Christian of you


    A mé féiner attitude. If everybody took that attitude, they would be hardly any wildlife left in the country


    Another selfish reason.

    So what, should the OP also open up her house and possibly allow a family of friendly badgers move in?
    Crows have very few natural predators in Ireland and as a result are a pest. The OP is obviously at her wits end with the noise and the constant bird poo. She is entitled to take action to get rid of them and enjoy her home.

    Op, how built up is the area? Is it possible to get shots off with a shotgun without putting others in danger? I would suggest getting someone to come in and shoot a few crows and hang up the carcasses to scare off the others.
    The repeating shots device is also an option but will be annoying to be listening to.
    The kite might or might not have some success.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭LizT


    Baralis1 wrote: »
    So what, should the OP also open up her house and possibly allow a family of friendly badgers move in?
    Crows have very few natural predators in Ireland and as a result are a pest. The OP is obviously at her wits end with the noise and the constant bird poo. She is entitled to take action to get rid of them and enjoy her home.

    Op, how built up is the area? Is it possible to get shots off with a shotgun without putting others in danger? I would suggest getting someone to come in and shoot a few crows and hang up the carcasses to scare off the others.
    The repeating shots device is also an option but will be annoying to be listening to.
    The kite might or might not have some success.

    It would be quite built up and there's a main road outside the house, although the house is set back off the road a bit! Thanks for sticking up for me!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    Baralis1 wrote: »
    So what, should the OP also open up her house and possibly allow a family of friendly badgers move in?
    Crows have very few natural predators in Ireland and as a result are a pest. The OP is obviously at her wits end with the noise and the constant bird poo. She is entitled to take action to get rid of them and enjoy her home.

    .
    Well if a family of badgers move into my garden I personally would be delighted:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭Baralis1


    lizt wrote: »
    It would be quite built up and there's a main road outside the house, although the house is set back off the road a bit! Thanks for sticking up for me!

    No problem!:) Maybe if you ask someone experienced in such matters, they can tell you if it can be done safely. Maybe a gun club member or a local farmer.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭Baralis1


    Well if a family of badgers move into my garden I personally would be delighted:D

    What if they aren't friendly? :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 77 ✭✭biscuiteater


    i'd make sure you protect your chimneys if you have any, just in case they decide to make nests in there also.
    the bang that the farmers use is very loud, it probably would annoy your neighbours.
    would making an old fashioned scare crow be any good or is that a silly idea


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,964 ✭✭✭ToniTuddle


    Baralis1 wrote: »
    I would suggest getting someone to come in and shoot a few crows and hang up the carcasses to scare off the others. The kite might or might not have some success.

    I'm sure her and her neighbours would love to wake up everyday and see the dead carcasses of the crows hanging around :confused: There would definitely be some complaints about health and safety having dead carcasses strung up.

    Why not try the kite first it's at least a bit more humane?
    Or even attempt to make your own big bird kite if that would be even cheaper just colour it and make it look like the one on the website.

    Yeah it's seriously annoying having to clean up bird poo of your car or street we have to do it too as the birds keep coming in to get the cats food but the birds aint doing it on badness!

    If you want OP why don't you talk to each one of your neighbours and ask they if they would be ok with you using the banging noise for a few nights?

    The noise will of course travel further afield but at least your neighbours will have been consulted and they may not mind it for a few nights. Worth a try. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,516 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    You want to get rid of them (crows/nests), because of bird dropping on your car and footpaths:mad::mad::mad: If you had a valid reason like crop damage or sheep being attacked then maybe you would have a valid reason. You just being selfish......

    Reading your post could suggest that you think it is OK to poison Golden Eagles as they might kill lambs! :mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭Feargal as Luimneach


    RosieJoe wrote: »
    Reading your post could suggest that you think it is OK to poison Golden Eagles as they might kill lambs! :mad:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056115220&highlight=poisoning&page=3
    WTF???
    Go to post 31...
    I'm an avid birdwatcher and have seen 57 species of raptor. I have seen the Golden Eagles in Donegal. I donate money to the Golden Eagle trust. Need I say more..........


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    RosieJoe wrote: »
    Reading your post could suggest that you think it is OK to poison Golden Eagles as they might kill lambs! :mad:

    There hasn't been a single proven instance of a reintroduced bird of prey taking a lamb either here, or in Scotland, where they've been around a lot longer.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,842 ✭✭✭shinikins


    Honey-ec wrote: »
    There hasn't been a single proven instance of a reintroduced bird of prey taking a lamb either here, or in Scotland, where they've been around a lot longer.

    I'm not sure thats true, there were recently photographs published of a Golden Eagle flying off with a lamb on the Isle of Mull, however they do tend to only take dead or weak animals.

    OP, crows nest in old trees generally, the chances are they have been nesting in the same trees for many years. My parents live by a wood area that is very old, probably 150-200 years old, and the murder of crows is huge. They are pretty hard to shift as they wil live there year round, but a kite is probably your best option. You can also try a decoy Owl, you must move it around from time to time though. I would imagine that setting off crow bangers or shooting anything but a watergun at them is a last resort


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,516 ✭✭✭RosieJoe


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056115220&highlight=poisoning&page=3
    WTF???
    Go to post 31...
    I'm an avid birdwatcher and have seen 57 species of raptor. I have seen the Golden Eagles in Donegal. I donate money to the Golden Eagle trust. Need I say more..........

    I'm just saying that it could have been read from your post that you may condone it. It is the one think that disgusts me most regarding Eagles, people thinking that they have the right to indiscimantly lay poison.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12 086whacker


    lizt wrote: »
    Hey, don't know if I should post this here or animal and pet issues, so mods feel free to move if necessary. Since a bypass was built around our town, crows have been coming to nest in the trees in our garden. Every evening, literally hundreds of crows fly into the trees in front of our house. The path in front of our house has been completely destroyed with bird poo and our cars are covered in bird poo every day, so we have to wash them several times a week.

    Is there any way to stop them from coming in to nest in the trees. If we clap or shout they all fly away but come back within two minutes. They are completely wrecking the public path and our cars! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

    Hi Lizt
    I feel your pain. A motorway was completed last June and it runs very close to my house. Since then grey crows have been arriving at the house every morning as soon it is daylight. They perch themselves on the windowsills and proceed to bash the windows with their beaks. They have tore the rubber seals from the window, the yard is a continuous mess with bird poo and the noise from their pecking and screeching first thing in the morning is driving me and my girlfriend insane. I dont know what to do with them we have tried every conceivable method to get rid of them but they endevour to return. With the clocks going forward tonight the crows will be arriving earlier....


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    086whacker wrote: »
    Hi Lizt
    I feel your pain. A motorway was completed last June and it runs very close to my house. Since then grey crows have been arriving at the house every morning as soon it is daylight. They perch themselves on the windowsills and proceed to bash the windows with their beaks. They have tore the rubber seals from the window, the yard is a continuous mess with bird poo and the noise from their pecking and screeching first thing in the morning is driving me and my girlfriend insane. I dont know what to do with them we have tried every conceivable method to get rid of them but they endevour to return. With the clocks going forward tonight the crows will be arriving earlier....

    Lol- you're actually getting up an hour earlier- so the crows (unless they also decide to obey summertime :)), will in fact be an hour later than hitherto......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12 086whacker


    smccarrick wrote: »
    Lol- you're actually getting up an hour earlier- so the crows (unless they also decide to obey summertime :)), will in fact be an hour later than hitherto......

    Thanks for pointing that out to me Mr Moderator... Silly me.. With the beginning of summertime it will be getting brighter earlier, as will their dawn chorus...


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