This must be peak feeding period for birds, what with nesting, so why do my resident tits spurn the lower half of my Nordman feeder?
This about 7" high with two sets of double ports, half way and bottom, each with perches. Birds gobble up the top half but refuse the bottom.
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We have two identical feeders, one about a foot from the other on branches. They will consistently empty one and not touch the other. I tried swapping them and then they eat from the rejected one, so it's not the feeder, it's the position. There must be some subtlety only a goldfinch can see or something.
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Usually their perception of a Sparrow Hawk strike I’ll wager.
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Is there a need to feed them in the spring ?
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There tends to be a shortage of food in Spring until the insect population emerges and plants begin to grow so the answer is yes, birds will benefit from being fed in Spring.
Before the modern era in this country when people died of famine after a bad harvest it was the Spring and early summer when they died. Sufficient food to get them through the winter but not to the next harvest.
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Not about "fussy" birds, but as it is about birds i'll stick it in here rather than start a new thread, (apologies for the hi-jack~).
Yesterday wifey and I had a couple of hours out on a shopping spree, when we got home there were 2 seagulls in the back yard, one dead (shot in the head), one still alive and flapping uselessly about, I had no option but to wring it's neck, which I really didn't enjoy one bit! this pair of gulls have nested between our chimney pots for at least the last five years. I also noticed that the top of our plastc stink-pipe was riddled with holes where somebody had been shooting at the Starlings that nest under our roof, as was the guttering above the back bedroom window. The only person around here that has a .22 air rifle (that I know of) is the idiot that lives next door. When I confronted him , he denied any knowledge,(but I know different!) If I ever catch him at it again i'll stick the barrel where the sun don't shine and give him some grief!
bloomin annoyed!!
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Why not report the matter to the RSPB?
You could also put the wind up your neighbour by reporting the damage to your property to the police. I'm sure a visit from them would wobble him and make him think twice about doing it again - if it was him of course.
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Wifey says she's spoken to the local community officer whom she conveniently bumped into this morning, according to him there's not a lot we can do unless we actually see him do it, preferably with a photo, as for the property damage, it's either a claim on our buildings insurance or do it ourselves (which would probably be the cheapest and less hassle way). Either way I've booked a big dose of Karma on his behalf!
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Sorry, anyone pointing and firing a weapon at my property would be a police matter right away. An air rifle can cause injury to people.
A 15 year old locally lived in a house that backed on to a school playing field.
He fired of a BB gun and it hit a teacher.
Within minutes a full armed response unit were breaking down his front door.
Luckily for him it didn't go much further.
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>> Wifey says she's spoken to the local community officer whom she conveniently bumped into this morning
Sounds like hobby bobby conveniently fobbed you off with a lame excuse. Shirley there can't be many people in your neighbourhood with guns, and if your next door neighbour has one, then they should be paying him a visit.
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Make a complaint that he has been firing his gun at your house. They will at least have to come and have a chat.
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Yes they will if you report it properly. It is an offence to fire an air rifle within 50ft of the centre of the highway which could be an issue in your case but regardless of that an offence to fire over your land.
If there are children in next door's house Police will also want to see he's complying with security of storage regarding access to the gun by children.
Air gun law has changed loads since we were kids.
Last edited by: Fenlander on Mon 25 Mar 19 at 13:41
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Contemplated airgun as solution to rat in garden but was disuaded after googling legalities.
If I were in OPs shoes I'd focus on fact that there is airgun damage to your property. By all means mention neighbour but without pointing fingers too directly. It's then for plod to investigate what is potentially a serious offence. Not sure a about gullls which can be a menace but Starlings are protected and license is needed to kill them or interfere with their nests.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Mon 25 Mar 19 at 14:10
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...all species of Gull are protected. An offence has therefore been committed by the killing. I'd report it to the local station officially and see if they can get the "wildlife crime officer" round.
You could then voice your suspicions of your neighbour, and see if he would pop round and ask "if he had seen anything".
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"Wifey says she's spoken to the local community officer whom she conveniently bumped into this morning, according to him there's not a lot we can do unless we actually see him do it, preferably with a photo, as for the property damage, ....."
Sorry but this has become too common a fob off as comes with a can't be harrised attitude.
There is absolutely nothing to prevent said Constable speaking to the person about the matter and either moving the inquiry on or wrapping it up at that point. Its an excuse tripped out far too often.
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Plod is wrong. Can you obtain a fired pellet? It shouldn't be too difficult. That clown would be going to court and likely receiving a stay in one of her majesty's hotels. Air rifle or not.
I'm getting a bit cheesed off with their (plod) can't be arrised attitude.
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Stick a fake CCTV camera on the wall of your house pointed vaguely in his direction. Plenty available for less than 10 quid and should make him think twice.
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Thanks all for the advice which I acted on yesterday. upshot of it is that he did indeed receive a visit, and this morning, so did we, "They" made inquiries and let him know the possible outcome of such actions but didn't charge him (no proof). Hopefully this may make him think twice in future, now to find another pair of Gulls! ;-).
Thanks all.
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Fussy birds - Crankcase
