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 Brenda,
I usually have a glass of wine when I have "those" moments. I will have to stop though, for the sake of my liver!
It sounds like that very old song we used to sing at the Saturday Morning Cinema (am I really that old??) -
Shut the door!They're coming through the window!Shut the window!They're coming through the door!Shut the door!They're coming through the window!Those dididididididi's are everywhere!
Buzzard said:My money is on the birds!!! Sorry Sparrow
LOL Buzzard, So is mine.
Best wishes Chris
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Oh Woodpecker, I thought you might be on my side!!!!
Starlings 2 woodpecker 0
Hey farmer, farmer, put away the D.D.T now. Give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Sorry Sparrow but my money is on the birds as well!
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!
Squirrel - use my daughter's theory- water pistol at close range! so only preferred birds are allowed to visit particular areas. I haven't tried it myself yet though!!
cheers, jude.
Hi Jude - I'd rather do that on the neighbourhood cats who seem to think my garden is their garden! Actually, that is something else where the starlings are really helpful. My lot always have at least one who stays as a look out while the others are feeding and that one screeches its socks off if a cat comes anywhere near. It alerts the birds, me and most of the town!!!
We call that lookout bird "the cockatoo" - the kids at school employ the same technique when they go for a smoke. The decoy makes a horrible noise when a teacher walks around the corner!
What you need is a magpie who will deive bomb the cats and keep them out of your garden! cheers, jude.
Oh Ye of little faith!!!!! Joy, and thrice joy, I think I've cracked it.
I have put starling goodies in three separate areas - and plenty of it, with none on the feeding station. They have found it and are now happily tossing it all over the place (dunnocks also happy). Some of them are still using the feeding station arms for a gossip between meals, but this is fine as they don't stay long and they look so beautiful up there. I think the fence top next to one of their new cafes and the shed roof are becoming favoured meeting places. I can now concentrate on attracting the smaller birds to join the goldfinches.
I wonder how long this will last ....
Susan H said:Oh Woodpecker, I thought you might be on my side!!!!
Well of course I'm on your side in that I wish you every success with your project, but if your starlings are anything like mine then it will take more than moving their feeder trays to stop them feeding from your hanging feeders.
I recommend that if you have seed catching trays on the bottoms of the hanging feeders that you might try removing them for a while. That was successful in stopping the pigeons feeding from them in my garden, and although the starlings can hang on for a short time, they don't stay on them for long.
I have just tried a similar project that also failed: I tried to feed (dried) mealworms to any birds other than starlings. However, it's as if they are a shining beacon with a big sign saying 'MEALWORMS HERE' above them and the starlings always just seem to home in mob handed and eat the lot before any other birds get a look in. Not only that they disturbed my blackcap who seems to be hooked on one of my suet feeders as he's here almost all day, every day. See pic:
While I'm on the subject of mealworms, and although I don't wish to make myself look like a prize idiot, I'm going to own up to a big blunder. I ordered from the Really Wild Bird Food Co. for the first time ever (after you kindly gave me the link Sparrow - thank you) I spotted a whole coconut suet treat feeder for £2.45 and a whole coconut mealworm feeder for £2.95. Foolishly, I decided to buy the latter only to find that I didn't read the details properly and realised my error after I received an empty coconut! My tip for anyone who wants a whole coconut mealworm feeder is: Save 50p by buying the cheaper suet filled one first and then use it as a mealworm feeder after the birds have eaten the suet. Doh I could kick myself!
p.s that isn't mould on the suet, I have pressed on something called 'Prosecto' from Haiths because it's so fine I didn't know where to put it....
Since typing all of this I have now seen that you've been more successful. Well done Sparrow!