General Chat

Get yourself a Large Water Pistol. a few squirts from that will put them off,also a largish bell to put on cats collar.we have two large cats and various feeders around the gardens,lots of birds but no dead ones as of yet. However the largest "Sebastian" tends take care of HIS territory, :-D any strange Cats disappear at a rate of knots,as do Foxes. :-D**M**.

Paula+
the best thing about bird stations is that even the squirrels can't get up them if sited away from trees.

Thank you all so much, we will be making a trip to the garden centre on Saturday to look at some bird stations, also have to agree about the squirrels, but sadly it is Katie who brings down the birds.

They do not like vinegar!!!! Springkle on paths. Also OH made our table with a steel pole - neither cats/squirels can climb it - however he had to move it as one moggy decided to launch itself from tree!

We use balls of fat with seeds in, cage feeders for nuts big seeds, and they are all tied to the washing line so the cats can't get at them. :-D

The best thing to get is a Bird Station as they are around 6ft tall with 4 hooks for hanging feeders on them.

Mine is in my front garden and the birds love it,they even swing on it when the wind is blowing.
There is a cat that comes into my garden and he looks up at the birds and he certainly can't get up it.

I paid around £10 to £12 for mine..

Good Value.

It is a shame that you have a cat of your own because if you didn't you can buy electronic cat scare device.
They gives off a ultra high pitched sound that gives the cat a jolt, I had one in my garden when I lived in the village, kept them well away.

George

We have a bird feeder and bits and bobs hanging from branches of the larger bushes.I Iove to watch them from the window. The cats that come in cant reach any of the feeders and I shout at them. Dam pussys.

The other day a beautiful flash of colour caught my eye and it was a kingfisher. How lovely I thought. But that didnt last long cause he dived in the pond and shot out again with one of my baby fish in its chops.OH has counted them and the said fisher has had about 20. All netted over now.
Predators at every turn :-| :-| :-| :-| :-

Try hanging bird feeders from frames and posts, Paula. We have a cat, and she certainly can't climb those. The main problem we have with these are squirrels, but you can get squirrel proof feeders.
All our cat can do is watch longingly from the window, but she is 15 years old, bless her!

We have a feline visitor from a neighbour a few doors up, I am beginning to wonder if she ever feeds her cat as it eats anything and everything we put out for ground feeders and we are sure it was her launched herself (from off the ground as nothing nearby) onto our bird table before Christmas, I noticed it on the floor with the platform broken and wedged down low. O.h. had to remove the platform and has to make a new one as soon as he has the chance. Even if we put stuff on the garage roof the darned cat goes up there to eat, it eats fat balls and bread, you name it, it eats it. I love cats but get annoyed at this one, and sometimes wish it would throw up on it's owner's carpet to get my own back lol You would think the bird stuff would be unappetising to it but no, it tucks in. It sets off the security lights too so costing electricity and if we notice we go outside and shout at it to scare it away, we have even blocked the hole in the hedge it used to scramble through to the field where it could mosey along to it's own patch so easily. It has now found other ways of getting in which we can't see yet, think it climbs over the 6' fence.

Lizx

Make sure the pole is a smooth one that a cat can't climb, not rustic and site the table away fro anywhere the cat can launch herself from to get on there.

i have two bird tables and often find strays cat asleep on one

try put the trays up high or buy a bird station :-D

I want to buy a bird table as we love feeding and looking at the garden birds, but Katie the cat is a stalker, does anyone have any ideas or tips to help us do this and prevent Katie killing the birds.