Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Hello everyone,

We've been regularly feeding the birds in our garden for quite some time, however this spring the food has started to attract 2 or 3 big pigeons which scoff the lion's share of the food before the other birds seem to have had much of a chance.

While I appreciate that all birds deserve a good feeding, there seems to be a decline in numbers of other species since the pigeons arrived. Does anyone have any suggestions for how we might discourage the pigeons but still attract the other birds?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks,
Ian

There are certain ground cages you can get with spaces only bid enogh for the smaller birds to get through, the pigeons will be to large to get through. If I find a link I will post it.

Stick to bird feeders for peanuts and seeds rather than putting food out in the open or on top of a bird table. I'll swap you three pigoens for the damn rat i have on my bird table at the moment! The rifle arrives tomorrow!!

Both The Stoop and Cornwall birder have some good suggestions (although the rifle would be the last weapon in the arsenal, literally).

Feeding out of feeders, and especially in a feeder which restricts feeding to the smaller birds, is good.

Kingfisher

Sorry, the rifle is for the rat not pigeons!

Although the pigeons could be quite tasty in a traditional pie... .

Kingfisher

Thanks everyone for the useful advice. I think that we're going to limit the loose food in the garden to times when we're around, and add a couple of extra bird feeders for the birds we do want to feed.

We live in a semi-rural area and so there is quite an abundant bird population, however we mostly end up with starlings and collared doves as regular visitors. There are plenty of other smaller birds in the area which we occasionally spot in the garden but they don't seem to want to visit regularly.

Cover for small birds to hide in is not great in our garden, but it is something we are improving (takes time). We have different kinds of food for different birds but it doesn't seem to attract many species, does anyone have any tips on what works for them? (should this be a new topic?)

Thanks,
Ian

I find baked in the oven with onion gravy and chips best! Mouthwatering!