Larger birds in back garden...neighbours not happy

Cuttlefish

Hi all,

So have been feeding birds in my back garden for a long time and at start only put up a peanut feeder - the usual wire cylinder type.

Over the past couple of years I have expanded the feeders and the food I leave out for the birds from ground food .... bread, porridge, mixed seeds, suet pellets, black sunflower sees and handing from a feeding station I would have peanuts and a fatball holder


I was attracting blue tits, sparrows, robins and starling and then the bigger birds coped on that hey No 23. has some decent and easy to get food so now I will have a pair of collared doves, fat wood pigeons (they are so funny you can see them fighting each other away from the food and all the while the crows and hoovering up the food), starlings, magpies also have crows as in Jackdaws, Rooks and even a hooded crow and surprise surprise when he lands the other crows shy away from the food I was surprised at that!
The crows were smart enough to lift the fat ball feeder unlock the lid and remove or peck out the fatball!!
The will even dunk the bread into the water dish I leave out for them.

Unfortunately the larger birds are not liked by some of my neighbours, forgot to mention I live in a three bed semi detach in an estate. And even recently one of the neighbours bout a dummy owl and it sits on top of the fence that backs on each others houses. So now I feel I should deter the larger birds from feeding!!


What do people think? Should I?

It is wonderful even to see them do a fly by during the day checking for food on the ground, they are quite smart animals



Anyways with this in mind I went online and bout a crow proof seed feeder, arrived today. I put it out and was a hit with the sparrows, the starlings were able to get into it though but that not the big issue. The opening at the end of the perspex holder is quite big so a lot of the seed spills onto the base of the feeder for the small birds and then a lot falls to the ground and guess what the Crows see it and are waiting - defeats the purpose i think!? What to members think

I added a plastic flower pot tray to minimise the amount falling to the ground and it helps but if I had known what I know now I would not have bought it. Cost over €25 online

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Should I deter the larger birds for the sake of my neighbours ?? Bear in mind I was only putting out ground feed early in the mornings, it wasn't that the birds were constantly there. They would actually be waiting some mornings before I put out the food.

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Thanks for reading

Bsal

Feck the neighbours.

How early are you putting the food out? Perhaps it's waking the neighbours?

The neighbours probably hear the birds but likely don'y realise they're going into your garden for food. Could be that the birds are landing on the roof of their house and causing noise or such, and that's why they want to try and discourage them from being around the place?

beauf

You are feeding them toxic readymix that dries like concrete causing acidic damage all over the place and you have dramatically increased both the frequency and volume.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/4909262/grans-home-poo-bombed-by-hundreds-of-pigeons-after-neighbour-installed-bird-feeder/

Its selfish and antisocial. Considering you already know its causing distress to your neighbours.

Local_Chap

beauf wrote: »

You are feeding them toxic readymix that dries like concrete causing acidic damage all over the place and you have dramatically increased both the frequency and volume.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/4909262/grans-home-poo-bombed-by-hundreds-of-pigeons-after-neighbour-installed-bird-feeder/

Its selfish and antisocial. Considering you already know its causing distress to your neighbours.

I wouldn't be taking any notice from the garbage you've linked.

beauf

Lots of similar stories all over the web, including Ireland.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/dublin-pensioners-told-they-may-be-fined-if-they-feed-the-birds-near-their-home-30995259.html


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4790306.stm

kowloon

Your neighbour needs a hobby or something, they're fabricating their own drama from a non-issue. Keep enjoying watching the birds.

beauf

Previous thread on Boards

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin//showthread.php?t=2057989748

Another Irish one...

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/they-re-for-the-birds-council-criticised-for-fining-pensioner-over-feeding-birds-1.4165458

the dark phantom

Crows are the business. Stuff the neighbours and keep feeding the big birds.

Rubberchikken

We have a vast range of birds on our garden this year.
The crowd are so clever, they worked out how to have one jiggle the peanut feeder and shake nuts loose while the rest stand below and wait.

We have collared pigeons, fine smaller grey pigeons and some massive ones that are still beautiful.

We've also discovered that two coal tits are nesting in a hole in the side of our garage again. It's two years since the last pair and their little ones.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the neighbours. Some people are just cranky and begrudging.

Enjoy the birds and keep feeding them. They're well worth it.

beauf

At least the fine won't be a surprise when it comes.

Cuttlefish

Deleted User wrote: »

How early are you putting the food out? Perhaps it's waking the neighbours?

The neighbours probably hear the birds but likely don'y realise they're going into your garden for food. Could be that the birds are landing on the roof of their house and causing noise or such, and that's why they want to try and discourage them from being around the place?

Usually between 6.30 - 7am and that it is only a small amount of bread and seed to be fair the noisier of the birds are the house sparrows!!

Cuttlefish

beauf wrote: »

You are feeding them toxic readymix that dries like concrete causing acidic damage all over the place and you have dramatically increased both the frequency and volume.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/4909262/grans-home-poo-bombed-by-hundreds-of-pigeons-after-neighbour-installed-bird-feeder/

Its selfish and antisocial. Considering you already know its causing distress to your neighbours.

For the record my other neighbours ave bird feeders - peanuts , raised table feeders etc. It is only I that feed on the ground for the likes of larger birds

Cuttlefish

kowloon wrote: »

Your neighbour needs a hobby or something, they're fabricating their own drama from a non-issue. Keep enjoying watching the birds.

I enjoy watching the birds both big and small, like I said rooks are quite intelligent birds and it is great to see them overcome the challenges

Cuttlefish

beauf wrote: »

At least the fine won't be a surprise when it comes.

Care to expand on your comment? fine?

Abel Ruiz

Bsal wrote: »

Feck the neighbours.

How about no.
Feck the noise and the ****e all over the place.
If you love nature and wildlife, then maybe a 3bed semi in a housing estate isn't for you.

Not many want an alarm clock with birds screaming outside their house, every poxy day ridiculously early.
But feck everyone else, once your happy.

Cuttlefish

Abel Ruiz wrote: »

How about no.
Feck the noise and the ****e all over the place.
If you love nature and wildlife, then maybe a 3bed semi in a housing estate isn't for you.

Not many want an alarm clock with birds screaming outside their house, every poxy day ridiculously early.
But feck everyone else, once your happy.

No need to be abusive as I said I did purchase a crow proof seed feeder and I only place ground food out between 6.30 - 7am before I head to work.

Yes I love nature and wildlife but my choice of abode should not be an issue.

Rooks/ Ravens aren't as noisy as you make out to be, try house sparrows!

And hey not need for using abusive language

lawred2

Cuttlefish wrote: »

Usually between 6.30 - 7am and that it is only a small amount of bread and seed to be fair the noisier of the birds are the house sparrows!!

That's pretty early

Abel Ruiz

Cuttlefish wrote: »

<<snipped>>

<<snipped>>
I love birds and animals, but I go to a park to see and admire them.
You invite them to your garden by feeding them and it clearly bothers your neighbours, but you don't care.
Think about what's its like for other people.
Just have a chat and see their point of view.

Atlantic Dawn

Why don't you install a 200 berth pigeon loft while you are at it.

wizardman

Ask the neighbors out straight if it's annoying you?

"Do you mind me feeding the birds Mary?"

On the other hand it's your garden, your property do whatever you want. Feed the birds nobody else's business.

I get doves, pigeons, starlings, few seagulls, robins, rooks.

lawred2

Seagulls?

Jesus wept

Abel Ruiz

wizardman wrote: »

Ask the neighbors out straight if it's annoying you?

"Do you mind me feeding the birds Mary?"

On the other hand it's your garden, your property do whatever you want. Feed the birds nobody else's business.

I get doves, pigeons, starlings, few seagulls, robins, rooks.

But it is someone else's business when it turns into a zoo. It doesn't just affect the op garden.

Also, you get seagulls!!!! I'd say your neighbours love you ha

Abel Ruiz

Double post

Cuttlefish

lawred2 wrote: »

That's pretty early

A heard a neighbour cutting hedging at that hour last week! The neighbour onto my house is up at 6:45 - 7 and not because of the birds before you ask

Cuttlefish

Abel Ruiz wrote: »

But you are.
I love birds and animals, but I go to a park to see and admire them.
You invite them to your garden by feeding them and it clearly bothers your neighbours, but you don't care.
Think about what's its like for other people.
Just have a chat and see their point of view.

As I mentioned the neighbours themselves have feeders out - in a row of 6 house - 5 of them have feeding stations or peanut feeders

Cuttlefish

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Why don't you install a 200 berth pigeon loft while you are at it.

Why doesn't who?

Del.Monte

OP you come across as being selfish and I love birds as much as the next person. Most people don't want to live in/next to a menagerie and you need to step back and look and what you're doing quite apart from getting nature lovers a bad name. Why not just go back to feeding the smaller birds, and the gulls and crows will find other places to scavenge.

Uncle Pierre

I just find it funny that OP didn't mind somebody using the word feck when it was somebody supporting them by saying feck the neighbours, and keep feeding the birds.

But as soon as somebody with a different view said feck, it became a case of "no need for abusive language".

By the way, I don't agree with the notion of "it's your garden, so you can do what you want". Bit of courtesy and consideration for the majority would go a long way. Am lucky enough to live in the countryside myself, but am thinking back to semi-d houses in estates I used to live in, and wouldn't have been impressed if I'd had to live with crows and pigeons and the like gathering from around 6 a.m. every day because one of the neighbours was putting out food before going to work.

archer22

People getting annoyed by barking Dogs or house parties I can understand.

But people getting annoyed by the sound of Birds in the morning for FFS :rolleyes:

Is this what the worlds coming to!

Tasfasdf

What's the point of this thread when OP doesn't give af about the neighbours? Is it look at me I am mother Theresa for birds?

Bob Harris

Be careful OP or this is what's going to happen....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F1wkCFCqd4

archer22

archer22 wrote: »

People getting annoyed by barking Dogs or house parties I can understand.

But people getting annoyed by the sound of Birds in the morning for FFS :rolleyes:

Is this what the worlds coming to!

There were magpies around my old house and if I had a shotgun I would have blasted them no problem:D.
The constant noise is a head melter.

TuringBot47

I've a small bird feeder that only the smallest of birds can use.
Works just fine.

But the odd time I do throw out left over bread, which attracts crows and even sea gulls from time to time. Which I probably shouldn't do (barely once a month at this stage)

However, I've heard we shouldn't even be feeding birds in the summer.
It's effectively social welfare for animals... they need to teach their chicks how to get food naturally too and with a proper diet.

But I agree, it's anti-social to feed the larger birds... lots of bird poo, dropped on to cars and the acid can start to erode the paintwork etc.

Also, waste food on the ground will attract rats especially in lockdown where rats might be used to living off restaurant/bar waste bins and now have to expand their search for food.

LeBash

Just a guess, but in my experience, birds sh1t really close to where they eat and if my windows got pelted regularly, I'd be pretty upset as well. Maybe that's the issue.

Fieldsman

If I were your neighbor I'd be worried all them peanuts etc. would attract mice or rats

Del.Monte

A ready source of food like the OP's garden will attract vermin sooner or later.

wizardman

Abel Ruiz wrote: »

But it is someone else's business when it turns into a zoo. It doesn't just affect the op garden.

Also, you get seagulls!!!! I'd say your neighbours love you ha

We live beside the sea would you believe. They sit in the ridge of roofs in the cul de sac. We are all well used to them. The birds come and go all day.

It's nobody business what you do in your own property. Walk around in the nip, feed the birds, do whatever you want. We live in an area with lots of trees and plants. Loads of birds and bees around.

Beautiful to see nature thriving. Kids love it, identifying the birds. Out on the green we have bird feeders, bee hotels. Great community.

You must have little to be worrying about if some birds annoy you. A pigeon loft is completely different to wild birds coming and going.

Doctors room ghost

Del.Monte wrote: »

A ready source of food like the OP's garden will attract vermin sooner or later.

Already has.Crows and magpies are vermin.old ratty will soon follow in.
If I was the neighbors I’d be getting a Larsen trap and a lock of turf bags.

Living Off The Splash

I have no bird feeders in my garden and we get plenty of birds visiting. Robins, blackbirds, blue tits, wrens. It's a pleasure to see them. They are getting plenty of food naturally without having to put out any bird feeders to attract them.

My neighbour has about 12 pigeons living on the roof of her home throughout the day because she has bird feeders. These flying rats make a terrible racket, sh1t all over the place, our house tiles are covered in it, our grass, cars the same. Can't hang out washing.

We have seen a couple of mice heading in the direction of her feeders.

Personally I think that bird feeders should be banned. If you want birds in your garden, leave out a large bowl of water, somewhere they can get a drink and have a wash.

Springfields

Cuttlefish wrote: »

No need to be abusive as I said I did purchase a crow proof seed feeder and I only place ground food out between 6.30 - 7am before I head to work.

Yes I love nature and wildlife but my choice of abode should not be an issue.

Rooks/ Ravens aren't as noisy as you make out to be, try house sparrows!

And hey not need for using abusive language

Have to agree with the above poster OP. Can you change the feeding time maybe? Chances are your neighbour's are in bed and take my word for it any birds landing outside a bedroom window on the guttering are extremely noisy and would wake you up... depends whether you want to get along with your neighbour's or not. If you're not bothered, then drive on. I'd value friendly neighbours any day

Blueshoe

Keep feeding them. You are doing a good thing. Animal species are dying off in record numbers. Ignore the neighbors

Cuttlefish

Am not a selfish person if you read my original post and responses...I have purchased a crow proof seed feeder and even modified it to reduce the seeds falling to the ground and attracting larger birds.

I have reduced the amount of ground feed i put out. I more than likely reduce it to nothing in the coming weeks.

Yes it is my garden so yes I can do what I want so lads back off with the abuse. Was just asking in a courteous manner.

By the way haven't seen any rats, I clean down excess regularly and clear the area with disinfectant

Uncle Pierre

OP - I don't understand why on the one hand, you bought something that claims to be a crow-proof seed feeder, which suggests you want to keep crows away after all?

Yet on the other hand, you're still putting feed out on the ground, to attract them in the first place?

Cuttlefish

Uncle Pierre wrote: »

OP - I don't understand why on the one hand, you bought something that claims to be a crow-proof seed feeder, which suggests you want to keep crows away after all?

Yet on the other hand, you're still putting feed out on the ground, to attract them in the first place?

To be honest am reducing the ground feed to keep them away with respect to the neighbors ok. Am gonna eventually cease ground feed

whisky_galore

I only feed them during frost and cold weather. They shouldn't have a problem finding their own food now.

degsie

<<snipped>> I am NOT a fan of crows personally, so if you were my neighbour I'd be upset. Why not let nature take care of nature?

fryup

TuringBot47 wrote: »

However, I've heard we shouldn't even be feeding birds in the summer.
It's effectively social welfare for animals... they need to teach their chicks how to get food naturally too and with a proper diet.

yes, i bring in the feeders during spring & summer, there's plenty of natural food for them out there

OP - there's bird feeding and there's bird feasting what you're doing seems to be completely OTT....don't blame the neighbours for being annoyed, there's no need to feed during the spring/summer they'll come to your garden anyway to perch on trees & shrubs, so just give it a rest for now

weldoninhio

weldoninhio wrote: »

If I was your neighbour I'd be getting some cats.

You’d need them to kill the rats that are no doubt lurking near OPs feeders.

Cuttlefish

[Deleted User] wrote: »

You’d need them to kill the rats that are no doubt lurking near OPs feeders.

They are lurking in all my neighbors feeders so

_Brian

Truth is throwing out scraps of bread etc on the ground will attract mice and rats.

It’s antisocial behaviour to be doing this.