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Post by floweringcherry on Nov 6, 2008 1:11:29 GMT 1
I would like to encourage birds in my small garden-- I just have a Blackbird (It is Lame-I think a cat tried to get it) but manages to hop around. When is the best time to put up nesting boxes to encourage nesting birds? Bigs, when my cat was alive, I didn't put up feeders or bird tables as he was a real hunter, even in his fading years. Since he went about 2 years ago, I have 4 hanging bird feeders with nuts and seed and 2 bird tables, a bird bath and I can't believe the number of different birds that visit my garden now. I will also put up a couple of nesting boxes, but we do get birds nesting in the conifers (not mine) at the end of our garden. |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 6, 2008 11:36:59 GMT 1
Thanks for your replies--I have a Northeast facing 'wall' so will put a couple of boxes up there and hope the birds notice them.
I can watch them from the kitchen window. Will let you know if I get any occupants ;D
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Post by Biggles on Nov 7, 2008 20:47:31 GMT 1
No I haven't bought any yet. I did try to buy nesting boxes today --but couldn't find a shop that sold them. The shops are full of Christmas things  I may write to the RSPB for a leaflet and information. |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 7, 2008 22:52:51 GMT 1
No I haven't bought any yet. I did try to buy nesting boxes today --but couldn't find a shop that sold them. The shops are full of Christmas things I may write to the RSPB for a leaflet and information. Try their web site Bigs, it's full of useful info. The other ones to try are wigglywigglers, who are also very good. |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 7, 2008 23:03:06 GMT 1
Thanks for those Links--I will have a look tomorrow--
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 11, 2008 18:07:23 GMT 1
Had a pheasant in the garden today! ;D Gosh The witch, pay attention to your typing That should read: I had a pleasant day in the garden today |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 18:14:12 GMT 1
She might have had a peasant in the garden............I doubt it though!  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 23:25:51 GMT 1
They are beautiful birds aren't they? That's a lovely photo, The witch. Sadly hundreds of them get shot every weekend around here......we get some in the garden but they are very frightened of us, and who can blame them?
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Post by floweringcherry on Nov 12, 2008 0:09:38 GMT 1
Lovely photo The witch. We get Partridges in the garden, they make a peculiar clucking/clicking noise and are very stupid birds imo. They also sit in the middle of the road and hold up the cars!
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Post by madonplants on Nov 12, 2008 11:28:05 GMT 1
He is a beauty, isn't he? Like 4P says, sadly a lot of them get shot, sometimes for fun, which is something I never will understand! On the Animal Rescue programme the other day, it showed a couple of seagulls, yes seagulls, who had been the victim of airgun shooting practice!!  Luckily both survived, after some tender loving care. Sadly birds, all species, are innocent targets nowadays! |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 13, 2008 11:00:44 GMT 1
But pheasants are bred for the table.  So are grouse, but reducing their numbers affects the BoP population. Before you say anything, less pheasants mean more foxes killing and eating things they shouldn't!! |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 14, 2008 10:35:24 GMT 1
So are grouse, but reducing their numbers affects the BoP population. Before you say anything, less pheasants mean more foxes killing and eating things they shouldn't!! I would have thought that a pheasant was too large for most BoP Keith. Did I mention BoP killing pheasants?? |
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Post by debbiem on Nov 14, 2008 17:34:54 GMT 1
Look at him strutting his stuff! We used to have them in the garden where we lived before - one used to pile into the chicken's food along with the chickens. I miss all that. Lovely photo The witch. |
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Post by maggyd on Nov 14, 2008 23:49:01 GMT 1
Arent they beautiful? and to think people kill them to eat!! which I think is a Sin! they is nothing on them really! now a turkey is different.  |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 20, 2008 16:55:47 GMT 1
I am not sure if I have put this under the right Thread- ;D maybe Sleepy will change it if she thinks it is in the wrong place--
Nesting Boxes--
Will I have to 'paint' these or will they be alright with just the bare wood? Or should I put some sort of Wood Preservative on them?
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Post by madonplants on Nov 20, 2008 16:59:47 GMT 1
I am not sure if I have put this under the right Thread- ;D maybe Sleepy will change it if she thinks it is in the wrong place-- Nesting Boxes-- Will I have to 'paint' these or will they be alright with just the bare wood? Or should I put some sort of Wood Preservative on them? Don't use anything, leave them natural. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 20, 2008 17:00:00 GMT 1
You could paint the outside if you'd like to customise them but I would avoid preservative completely and leave the inside just as it is, Biggles. Take care what paint you use though as they do have some really toxic stuff in that hangs about for a long time.... |
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 20, 2008 17:01:09 GMT 1
I am not sure if I have put this under the right Thread- ;D maybe Sleepy will change it if she thinks it is in the wrong place-- Nesting Boxes-- Will I have to 'paint' these or will they be alright with just the bare wood? Or should I put some sort of Wood Preservative on them? Be wary of paint and especially wood preserver as it might very well be toxic to the birds, especially the chicks. I'd leave it raw and let it weather. |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 20, 2008 20:28:59 GMT 1
Whoops!! Sorry Sleepy--I called you 'she' instead of 'he' just noticed--I get you mixed up with Sweetleaf-- Thanks for your replies-I had thought it was best to leave them alone and let them 'weather' over Winter ready for the Spring nesting time but thought it was best to ask for your advice. The only other time I had a nesting box in the garden -(the Box had been used before) I just scrubbed it with a Brush and soapy water then rinsed it well. The Blue Tits used it and when the Eggs had just hatched I found the little ones scattered on the soil beneath and partly eaten a few days later. I think a neighbouring cat must have found it because I had placed it on a fence with bushes covering it, so it was fairly easy for the cat to get at the Box. This time I will position the Box so it will be very hard for anything to get at it (except the parents) I hope I get some success-- |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 22, 2008 9:49:06 GMT 1
I really think we are in for some 'weather'.. This morning when I went out to feed everyone the birds were all waiting in the trees.....Hilda was waiting under the hangers looking forlorn but the trees were loaded with feathery things and as I walked away after replenishing everything there was an amazing flurry of wings as they all descended. The bird hangers are heaving.........
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Post by maggyd on Nov 23, 2008 21:37:44 GMT 1
I think we are going to have a hard winter this year too 4P, or should I say I think we are going to have a winter! OH took this photo through a window yesterday - ![]() i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/The witch-in-Norfolk/Birds2/Woody2.jpg [/IMG][/quote] Oh thats a lovely photo The witch ;D arent you lucky, we have nuts out all the time but Ive only once had a woodpecker and that was ar the bottom of the garden by the time I noticed it it flew off. Where were you when you took it? everytime I go for my camera the birds fly off I noticed to-day they were a lot of birds that have appeared the weather must be going to be bad. |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 24, 2008 0:37:50 GMT 1
Great picture, The witch. It's gone a bit quiet in my garden the last few days, except for the House Sparrows, Collared Doves and the Starlings.
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 24, 2008 8:28:22 GMT 1
I know I've said it before but I think it's astonishing how quickly the birds appear - I have a spotted woodpecker on the peanut hanger very often and he always appears within a couple of minutes of me refilling them. I rush indoors and see how long he takes - sometimes he's there before I've even before I've got to the kitchen window...! Yesterday I put loads of stuff out because of the appalling weather and the lawn was swamped with birds. It was lovely |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 27, 2008 22:51:42 GMT 1
I am just being patient--
I have put two Boxes out--and string of nuts--Ziltch--
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Post by floweringcherry on Nov 27, 2008 23:13:21 GMT 1
I am just being patient-- I have put two Boxes out--and string of nuts--Ziltch-- They wont use the boxes yet but will be seeking out somewhere to nest in the spring. I have 2 bird tables that I got last Christmas (no communication between OH & children) it took a while for the birds to start feeding but now I get a lovely variety of birds in the garden. I have 3 hanging feeders and I also throw old bread out on the lawn, it's gone in minutes. ;D |
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Luckily both survived, after some tender loving care. Sadly birds, all species, are innocent targets nowadays!