Cats :-(

Miss_Ratty · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 04:35 PM

Hi Everyone,

Newbie here...I just saw the forum when I was searching for tips in my anger at what just happened in my little garden. We just got back from hols, and I had been very worried as the bird food had all run out, and only this morning did our first visitors return. By hometime, there were about 15 sparrows feeding again, including a dad feeding his chick on the fence. I text hubby to let him know that all was well in the city garden again and that our chums had returned to the restaurant, when I glanced back to watch dad feeding little one again. I just literally saw jaws appear and grab him, the BLOODY black cat came at him from behind the fence. My water gun was too far away and it happened too quickly for me to properly react (although my neighbours have probably reported me for acting like a mad woman and screaming obscenities at someone's pet over the fence).

I feel so upset. We had seen feathers in the garden before but never a killing/capture, and with all the pigeons around there are always loads of feathers too. We do have a sparrowhawk too (wrong as it may seem, I don't actually mind her, as she's probably feeding chicks and not just playing with the bird).

I really don't know what to do...I feel awful that I attract so many birds into the garden, straight into the jaws on a cat as just happened today. I have a really small garden with not many hiding areas, and the bird was on the fence...the cat just jumped and grabbed him without barely even touching the top of the fence. I have heard that those sonic deterrents aren't that good, and don;t know if they'd stop the cats from the other sides of the fence, and likewise I doubt I could put lion poo in my neighbours gardens from where they jump. I'm so so annoyed :-( Poor little man, and poor little chick...I just hope mum is around to feed it too.

I looked at fence spike things, wondered if they might work if I also attached a line of some sort of line a few inches above the fence on which the birds could perch (bit harder for the cat to get to). I don't have an outside tap so the water soakers wouldn't really be an option either.

I'm so sad right now!!!

Does anyone have any good ideas? x

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 07:13 PM

There is not a lot you can do apart from what you have already suggested we put wire all along the fence the cats just walked in-between it and it sags.
The spikes work well but the dog is the best deterrent.
I have grown spiky plants all round the garden they really don't like these you can prune the plants and pyracantha, berberis and hawthorn are good for the birds too as they eat the berries and live in the bushes for safety.

Littlesparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 08:28 PM

I have owned cats in the past and some cats don't take any notice of the birds, rabbits, guinea pigs etc and some are born hunters even if you put a bell on them. I use to keep one cat like this inside if I saw an fledglings about, but whether your neighbor would do the same is another matter.
I have some prickly bushes in my garden which a cat or dog couldn't get into or up, so think about your planting. I also do not feed on the ground if I know there is a cat about, I have some feeders high up in a tree.

Miss_Ratty · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely going to get the spikes. I think it will take ages to get spikey shrubs to grow as tall as the fence - and they are approaching from my neighbours' gardens as well and not so from ours. I stopped feeding the ground feeders as it attracted a large family of rats and feral pigeons! We just have a high feeder, but the birds rest on the fence when flying to and from.