Bird of the day!

[smartie]

That's a shame and a difficult one, Badger. I have a similar problem with a visiting young tabby, that gets into places my own cats wouldn't attempt and terrorises the birds from the top of the hedge. It is out of reach of my usual deterrents, which are loud clapping, sudden rushes at it and throwing gravel or spraying water. Have you got a hosepipe? I have resorted to a long range spray with mine, and that usually works at the time - though it keeps coming back. If your neighbour is a very nice woman, would she put some bells on it? I've not found that terribly useful myself, to be honest, but it might give the birds a bit more warning.

[nightshade]

Where does it come in? can you impede its progress
with chicken wire or trellis
Set up a sprinkler ready to go, put netting collars around the trees
ask the owner to bell it (offer to pay for bell and collar)
In the last resort Diablo and balls of wet (biodegradable)newspaper
corn or pulses

[badgerwatcher]

She IS a very nice lady, and she say all her cats have bells, so if I see her, I may get her to check he hasn't lost his. He is quite a small cat, quite young, and having a lovely time.
Yes, Smartie, the ose pipe would be a good idea. I may have to set it up so I can 'fire' it from the bedroom window!
And hadn't thought of wetting the newspaper, Nightshade. I don't want to use anything like corn, in case I hit its eyes. I'm a really bad shot, so more likely to do damage accidently.
And may have to skirt the tree, but don't want to as it is so beautiful, and also, that wouldn't deter the cat from the garden.
The fencing runs to a considerable distance, and is old. My dog is showing me some of the holes, but some that I have blocked the badgers patiently remove the barriers again as it is there right of way! And we are talking fencing round about an acre and a half, some of which I can't reach as it's too overgrown, and at the front quite a low wall, as the shrubs and trees provide us with privacy.

[Deer Stalker]

Hi BW, will a Supersoaker water pistol go far enough (they're more like a rifle than a pistol)?


My birds of the day are Hawfinches, Redpolls, Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers & Firecrest while out walking this morning.

[Barbara]

I nipped in the house to get a cuppa and walked back to my hide sat down and looked up and there was this beautifull male Bullfinch staring back at me. His female friend was sitting on a nearby branch. I was so delighted because it is ten years since I have seen a Bullfinch in my garden and then it was only a fleeting glimpse.

The male flew to the wild bird flat dish and ate sunflowers right in front of my hide he wasn't at all bothered about the camera clicking, then he went to the bird table where he and his lady friend enjoyed some more sunflowers before flying off.



Barbara

[aeshna5]

Stunning photo Barbara- Bullfinches are such stunning birds. I've twice seen them in my garden, though they breed within a half hour walk from where I live. A bird you usually hear before you see it, despite the male's gaudy plumage.

Hope you don't wait so long for their next visit!

[mrs fish]

Your photo is perfect Barbara, you should be very pleased

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Stunning photo Barbara- Bullfinches are such stunning birds. I've twice seen them in my garden, though they breed within a half hour walk from where I live. A bird you usually hear before you see it, despite the male's gaudy plumage.

Hope you don't wait so long for their next visit!

Thankyou aeshna. I have never heard their song, I do hope they revisit. What really suprised me is that he must have seen me go into the hide becasue he was on the perch right in front of it. The female waited on a nearby branch and didn't come in a close. She flew to an upright perch and then on to the bird table. Looking forward to next weekend to see if they come back.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Your photo is perfect Barbara, you should be very pleased

Oh thankyou mrs fish yes I am over the moon. It's always nice to get a new visitor to your garden especially one as colourful as this

[glsammy]

Top shot Barbara, a real beauty.

My bird of the day today was some Grey Herons, at a new site for me: