Problems with neighbours

Question

Hello,
I am new to the forum. I’m having some problems with my neighbours and I wonder if someone has advices for me.
I moved to Glasgow 18 months in a house with a small backyard. I used to live in a semi-rural area in Essex and never had any problems with my neighbours about feeding birds.
In the area where I live now, there are mainly terraced houses and a different bird population. My food attracts prevalently house sparrows, starlings, and pigeons. I like the pigeons, but I know many people hate them and I have to admit that they are a bit difficult to manage because of their habits to move in large flocks. 
There was a complaint last year and I was advised to only use feeders for small birds and avoid putting food on the ground. Since we were in June, I stopped the feeding completely. I resumed it last months and I followed the advice I was given. I have one feeding station with three hanging feeders (two with seeds and one with mealworms) and a small tray where I put both seeds and mealworms. The feeders and the tray are only half-full and I put them out once a day (I don’t refill them once they are empty).
The pigeons can access the tray (magpies use it too, although often the pigeons get to it first), but they also manage to get some seeds from the feeders. Since there is a small amount of food, however, the birds take about 15-20 minutes to eat everything up.
Despite this, my neighbours made a new complaint and this time I received a letter from the environmental and health service requesting that I stop putting out food for birds. One of my neighbours, I assume the one who made the complaint, has been particularly vicious and abusive. I asked the mediation service to arrange a meeting to discuss the problem, but I am not sure he will agree to that.
I am writing a reply letter to the environmental and health service to present them my point of view.
Please let me know if you have any advice about other things I could be doing.

HAZY · Accepted Answer

Hello Alectoris and welcome to the Community forum. I'm sorry to hear the problems you have had with neighbours and subsequent letter from Environmental Health Dpt. regarding the feeding of birds in your back yard. Feeding birds in a built up area is always a very contentious issue and it would also depend on a lot of other things; it does sound to me as if you are a very reasonable person, willing to limit the amount of feeders and are making every effort to minimise any problems to neighbouring properties. From what I understand Environmental Health do have the power to intervene first with a polite letter or if it goes unheeded (which isn't the case with you ) they can take court action if by feeding the birds you are causing nuisance or health issues. I am guessing you try keep the area swept and clean and avoid excess amount of food and spillage which could attract vermin as that would definitely be enough reason for the E.Health to issue an order for immediate cessation of feeding birds. 
 Most people in this country love to feed the garden birds which is promoted by RSPB but as they would suggest, limit the amount of seed you put out and perhaps try using a guardian feeder which would deter the larger birds from gaining access to perches. Pigeons are very persistent birds and without guardians on them they will, as you have seen, try to perch to gain access to the seeds. Having a small garden area I would suggest that you perhaps use just one multi-perch feeder with guardian cage around it so you will attract the smaller birds in and see how that goes. Birds can be messy eaters at the best of times so it is important to either fit seed catchers to the bottom of the feeder (assuming they will fit inside the guardian) and just ensure each evening the area is clean beneath to prevent any unwanted visitors like mice or rats. Most gardens get vermin, it is usually only a matter of time before you see them if seeds are on the ground. 
 I think you are very wise to ask for mediation in this matter so you can discuss with your neighbour their concerns and address them accordingly with a mediator present to provide a neutral view taking into account both sides of the argument. 
 I wish you the best of luck and hope you can continue feeding the birds as it is one of life's true pleasures. Happy bird watching !

Gardenbirder · Answer

Welcome to the Forum, Alectoris. In addition to Hazel's suggestions above, you could probably do with some local support. I notice there is a local RSPB group in Glasgow, see here: www.rspb.org.uk/.../glasgow 
 If that local group is anything like those near us (we can visit local groups in west Surrey, northeast Hampshire and south Berkshire) you will find both practical and moral support for you there regarding issues with your neighbour. And they may also have interesting talks, walks and excursions. Good luck, and please keep us posted.