Advice on feeder positioning/cat deterrant

[~T~]

Ok so I know there are loads of threads on this subject. I have spent the last half hour or so reading various methods of keeping cats away or at least making it difficult as possible for them to hunt.

Anyways I'm really only having problems with one particularly persistent cat which seems to be a pretty good hunter and regularly visits my garden. My garden is very small but most of it is open enough for birds to see a cat approaching. The left side however has a line of smallish pine trees and if the cat approaches from that side(in my neighbours side) has the perfect ambush spot. The trees are also where I have my sunflower heat feeders and although high enough (well one I def need to move) birds tend to go much lower to eat any dropped seeds (chaffs in particular). Also it's really only since I moved the some feeders into the trees (and added sunflower hearts) that I started getting more finches and tits are I think they are happier feeding away from the bigger birds.

This morning the cat managed to catch a siskin much to my dismay and was gone before I got outside, though came back within 5 minutes so either lost its kill or it can eat pretty fast. So far I've banged the windows if I've seen it in the garden and a few times chucked water at it (though its been too fast). I've also now put tarp and some old netting under trees to make it harder for it to quickly jump through (I'll remove the netting though as thinking about it it might be a hazard for other wildlife). I also think my big feeder is too close to the ground/fence and I'll move that soon too. I sometimes see it walking along the back fence. Are those spike strips any good? I could put some at the far left and right where it climbs up.

Here are a few pictures of the area, if anyone has any tips or advice that would be great. I don't want to give up feeding the birds but at the same time I don't them to come to harm because of me. Thanks

Safe area



Danger area

[Tobyh]

Hi there,

Annoying as it is to have the cat hunting, I don't think spike strips are a good idea along the top of the fence. That said, when I had / have issues with cats making their way through undergrowth / grass to get to feeder drop areas I was putting cut brambles and blackthorn under there - this helped slow the cat down as he couldn't dash in, plus it meant that the small birds when feeding were in amongst it and had a better chance of being able to get out in time. Not sure how practical that is for you but it certainly made my local moggies think twice.

TobyH

[nightshade]

I have seen a similar layout and the owners first move was to wire net the bottom two feet of both sides of the trees (the cats used it as a latrine) so where attracted into the garden for that purpose, then noticed the feeding birds. I would (if there are no under eights) plant a few stock repelling/security Pyracanthas under the feeders

[~T~]

Good ideas guys maybe a combination of wire netting and cut brambles? Is there a particular type of wire netting I should be using? Pyracanthas Sounds like a good idea too I've always wanted to grow some actually.

[Bellfamily]

Originally Posted by ~T~

Good ideas guys maybe a combination of wire netting and cut brambles? Is there a particular type of wire netting I should be using? Pyracanthas Sounds like a good idea too I've always wanted to grow some actually.

My sparrows and other small birds LOVE my Pyracanthas as they must feel safe amongst it. The plus things is that it produces berries which the birds also love. The only problem is that will anything grow around the pine trees? I have a row of pine trees and I agree with nightshade that this is where the cats from the neighbourhood come for a community poo! The soil is always nice and dry for them!

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Bellfamily

My sparrows and other small birds LOVE my Pyracanthas as they must feel safe amongst it. The plus things is that it produces berries which the birds also love. The only problem is that will anything grow around the pine trees? I have a row of pine trees and I agree with nightshade that this is where the cats from the neighbourhood come for a community poo! The soil is always nice and dry for them!

I've actually never seen cats do anything other than use the pine trees to ambush the birds and only really this particular cat. Theres not really soft soil underneath as my house is built on landfill but they do craap in my raised veg beds.

[Bellfamily]

Originally Posted by ~T~

I've actually never seen cats do anything other than use the pine trees to ambush the birds and only really this particular cat. Theres not really soft soil underneath as my house is built on landfill but they do craap in my raised veg beds.

Don't get started on a discussion about the joy of cats (see other thread going at the mo!!

When I have pruned my Pyracanthas I put the cuttings under the hedge as well, the thorns are lethal and will make moggie think twice! Hawthorn is good as well.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Bellfamily

Don't get started on a discussion about the joy of cats (see other thread going at the mo!!

When I have pruned my Pyracanthas I put the cuttings under the hedge as well, the thorns are lethal and will make moggie think twice! Hawthorn is good as well.

Sounds good. I'm not sure what will work best, an ongoing barrier or a few big scares to make it avoid the garden. I think I have a black widow catapault in my loft somewhere I'll be planting veg in a month or so as well so 2 birds(or should I say cats) with one stone lol

[rossy]

try moving your feeders onto the washing line, more open and gives the birds a chance ,also wire mesh in front of the your other trees , so the cat has to jump over the mesh, therefore the birds should be off , before it has chance to pounce, rossy.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by rossy

try moving your feeders onto the washing line, more open and gives the birds a chance ,also wire mesh in front of the your other trees , so the cat has to jump over the mesh, therefore the birds should be off , before it has chance to pounce, rossy.

I'm not sure that will work as the line is actually quite low and the feeders will weigh it down more so it might be able to still jump and catch them. I've moved the big feeder onto the fence for now while I work out my game plan. I also dug out my old black widow catapult and it still works great