pigeon attack...

[actionfinch]

Woke up this afternoon , thought i would pop my head out of the back room window to see what was about and there in horror /amazment there were a load of grey feathers on the ground.. lucky no body around .
I take it a neighbours cat had ago at the many woodpigeons that come into my garden in the morning.My dog jumps at feathers so i had to go out and wash them away.More cat deterrant to be put down now.
The thing is , a bit like the sparrowhawk thread, it wont keep the birds away will it? i did see a robin and a blue tit whilst cleaning up.but it looks kinda deserted.( and since all the snow has gone)
still next week i will have to have a shift around i think.

[counterlady]

Aw thats sad. I dont think it will keep them away - I think everywhere has been deserted the birds have found better food - WORMS!!!!

[rossy]

ive got a similar problem as next door have recently got a cat, and its doing my head in already, so apart from it using my garden as a toilet to which i keep launching its muck back over the fence , im going to erect a higher fence, plus its stalking the birds by hiding in the bushes, ive also got mesh near the feeders, so the birds, hopefully spot it before it launches an ambush. rossy.

[counterlady]

I say live a little and chill out - you cant stop a cat from doing what it does naturally - it is a hunter as well. Its no good getting angry at the cat and a possible fight with the neighbours by throwing muck over the fence!!!!

I have three cats that come into my garden I just accept that thats what happens with cats and neighbours - cats like to roam and chase birds!!
I'd rather see nature against nature rather than nature against humans

Putting mesh up like you have is a good idea and if its quite a few feet away the cat will find it hard to jump etc.

[willing to learn]

Domestic cat nature I would not to keen on the cats using my garden as a toilet either I be another flinging over the fence as well, if the "owners" did not control their cats.
Regards
Colin

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

The thing is , a bit like the sparrowhawk thread, it wont keep the birds away will it? i did see a robin and a blue tit whilst cleaning up.but it looks kinda deserted.( and since all the snow has gone)
still next week i will have to have a shift around i think.

If the cat becomes a persistent visitor to your garden then it will keep the birds away. Get yourself a good water pistol.

[counterlady]

willing to learn - dont understand your comment there - I dont have a cat but I definately know that you cant control a cat they dont sit and beg. I also know cats are extremely clean and cover up their muck so I class it as a fertilizer!!! Remember its humans whos made them domestic not nature!!!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by counterlady

I dont have a cat but I definately know that you cant control a cat they dont sit and beg. I also know cats are extremely clean and cover up their muck so I class it as a fertilizer!!! Remember its humans whos made them domestic not nature!!!

They often leave their scats exposed on lawns and open soil.

It would be best for wildlife if cats were kept indoors like dogs.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by counterlady

willing to learn - dont understand your comment there - I dont have a cat but I definately know that you cant control a cat they dont sit and beg.

They also don't have hands and front door keys - it's people that let them out of the house to roam. It's perfectly possible to have 'house cats' that are under control. We used to let dogs roam around on their own many years ago - you never see that anymore. Why are cats special?

Originally Posted by counterlady

I also know cats are extremely clean and cover up their muck so I class it as a fertilizer!!!

Not as often as you think they do. Plenty just leave it where it falls.

Sparrowhawks also eat Woodpigeons, so it might not have been a cat.

[counterlady]

As mentioned I have 3 cats visiting my garden from neibouring houses but I have an abundance of birds - I have made sure all feeding equipment is well out in the open not near fences, nor trees, nor garage roof tops etc where cats can pounce from. By the time the cats have got close to the feeding area the birds are well gone!! The cats soon give up.

Try and find a completely open space - some say putting feeding docks near a ledge so the birds can go there first is the best option but I found this not to be true. When I had the feeding docks next to trees or hanging from trees the cats loved it.

My birds are quite cautions because its open plan but they see everything that is going on around them.


Its all just my experience anyway.