Hi Clare, welcome from me up in the very far north of Scotland, in Caithness. I live in the country and have a feeding area. Many different types of birds come about. My next door neighbour, whose garden is backed onto ours, but divided by fencing, trees, shrubs and foilage also has an interst in the wildlife, so all is good. Yes you can feed what you want on your own property but the problem arises when you have neighbour's who are not so wildlife friendly, especially if you are in a town/city where many houses are together. I am unsure about the legal side of feeding where there are signs. Also regarding the person who was fined, maybe there had been problems and warnings prior to the fine. Someone else may hopefully help.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hi Clare, welcome ... I would suggest that you ring Merton Council to ask if this notice is specific only to the area in which you saw it or do they have a general ban in operation which might affect feeding in private back gardens!
I saw online a long & detailed list covering all manner of sites where the Council are supporting Wildlife Trusts!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Hi Clare, I also live in Merton. I suspect that the signs refer to public areas. The story you might have seen might refer to the lady in Conwy who was fined because she was feeding up to 100 birds in her garden, the flock being comprised of gulls and pigeons. The resulting droppings on the neighbours washing were the issue and despite warnings, she continued. Unless your garden visitors are as intrusive, I cannot see an issue with what you do in your own garden, assuming it is not a council house. That might cause complications. I have as many as 50 Ferals that visit my garden regularly and they restrict their deposits to my roof and garden.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Hello all that have answered, many thanks for your help. My little extra family do not cause a nuisance and it seems apparent that I have the same little guests visiting which to date hasn't been extensive. Completely agree @monkeycheese that that scenario would not be ideal but doesn't apply to my situation and correct no I am not in council housing. I will have another look at the notice and indeed contact the council @WendtBartter. Thanks again everyone who answered I look forward to finding out who the other's are coming to my garden as no expert.
Wimbledon covers a large area, in roughly which part are you? I'm in Mitcham.
Hi, I'm Colliers Wood.
I expect you get some interesting visitors with Wandle Park being nearby. Wilko at Tooting Broadway is good for bird food and feeders if you don't already have them.
I do indeed, there are some interesting looking birds I still need to identify and a couple of squirrels who are regulars , used to use Wilko but nowadays use the pet shop in tooting broadway market as prefer to support independent business'. Not using feeders at the moment but looking to in order to keep everyone happy. All very new to me. Any advice greatly appreciated. I'm happy to feed any bird or animal but can't encourage the poor foxes as I have my dog to think of. Was told they wouldn't come to the garden if they knew a dog was living there which has turned out not to be true.
The feeders in my south London garden are being used almost exclusively by parakeets and house sparrows at present, with a few visits by starlings and a male great spotted woodpecker. No blue / great tits or goldfinches at all for many weeks now.
Haven't to my knowledge seen any of them so far..... definitely have robins, finches and some little brown ones?? Also a larger bird with royal blue tips to his wings, has a harsh face if makes sense but to me very beautiful. Think some crows but not sure.