The constant squabbling of the starlings and the sheer size of the pigeons could be the reason some of the smaller birds are reluctant to use my main pole feeding station, notably the tits, so I decided enough is enough and my starlings and pigeons must be moved. I have a large bird table with plenty of room for these larger birds, so I was determined they should be made to use it.
Last night, after dark, I removed the flat trays and all the goodies the starlings like from the feeding station, and put plenty of seed for the pigeons and goodies for the starlings on the bird table. I just left 3 hanging feeders for the time being - nyjer seed, sunflower hearts and my new safflower seed, plus a few nut granules, to see what would happen.
This morning, the starlings came to perch on the pinnacle and arms of the feeding station, as they always do, having a gossip, preening, and looking content. Then they looked down in total disgust at the disappearance of their trays, and I could also hear the pigeons stamping and clog dancing on the roof above me. One bright spark noticed the goodies on the table, told the others, and success!! They all went to have a good feed and were joined by the pigeons. That is all except one starling. He stayed put, looked around, then perched on the nyjer feeder and started to tuck in. He was there for ages!!!
I am determined to win this one. I will not allow the starlings to beat me!!
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi Sparrow
I know exactly how you feel and I don't blame you at all. I have had to take the seed catching trays off my hanging feeders on my feeding station because it made it easy for the pigeons and the starlings to land and eat all of the seed in them. I now scatter a couple of smashed suet balls on the ground and in the flat trays.
I have stopped the pigeons landing on the tubular hanging feeders, but the starlings can hold on for a while.
If the starlings start squabbling over the feeders, I find that getting up from my watching spot so that they see me through the window makes some of them leave, and then the smaller birds can come and have a snack before they return.
After joining the forum yesterday and talking about my regular bird visitors I am concerned that I haven't seen one goldfinch today! OMG what went wrong? Could it have been the heavy rain?
Best wishes Chris
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Susan H said: I am determined to win this one. I will not allow the starlings to beat me!!
My money is on the birds!!! Sorry Sparrow
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Thanks for that Buzzard!!!! But, so far, so good.
Today the starlings have been behaving better and have concentrated on the goodies in other parts of the garden, although some are still using the feeding station arms as a look out post. One pigeon clung to the sunflower hanger, wings flapping, and managed to get his beak in a port, then decided life was easier on the table.
And ... good news. The reduced activity on the feeding station brought my first chaffinch to the nyjer feeder (a female) followed by 2 males who stayed close to the ground in the tubs underneath the station. All 12 goldies have been on and off all morning, but they don't bother about the starlings. A coal tit did a grab and go, but so far no other tits.
I love starlings and used to have dozens. We are down to a meagre handful, maybe eight on a good day. Welcome them! They are under threat.
Hi Linda,
I also love the starlings and it is because I welcome them that they have taken over the feeding station!!! I wouldn't be without them. They are like naughty children, and give me hours of amusement. I have about 10 to12 regulars who are in the garden most of the day, and a flock that calls briefly a couple of times a day as part of their route. My aim isn't to banish them, simply to move them from this particular feeding station. I have a large table and several other feeding areas they can use as much as they wish, where they have suet, mealworms, raisins and seed.
Hi Sparrow, have you tried traffic signs? (sorry, hug)
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
LOL Squirrel, that's what hubby suggested!!!!
I really think you are being unfair. Did you warn them this was going to happen and then put up signs saying which bird was allowed on which feeder? This reminds me of when my son was a baby and would just not sleep. The starlings nested in the eaves and they would start stomping around in their boots before dawn. Needless to say, they would also wake my son. We had the entrance blocked so many times over the years but they still got in. We sold the house but never told the buyers about the spring lodgers.
LOL Brenda - You could have had your ceilings soundproofed!!!
Yes, Sparrow. It would have made more sense to you if I had said starlings ( which I have now edited ) instead of swallows. I will just have a lie down!!!