Jackdaw/Raven/Magpie Problems (1 Viewer)

[rowan57]

Hey guys, very first poster here. We have a decent size garden which attracts a decent range of birds. We had the squirrel problem that I guess everyone does, but solved that with a better nut feeder. Now we have major issues with Jackdaws/Ravens/Magpies. We have a basic seed feeder, and a basic wire fatball feeder, and the wiley big birds have got into the habit of knocking the seed feeder up into the air so all the seed falls out. They also attack the fat balls, and have gone through 4 this afternoon. They can quite happily knock all the seed from the seed feeder to the ground in an afternoon also.

The fatballs i think i can solve with a new feeder with a cage round it to stop the bigger birds getting them, but the seed feeder im at a bit of a loss.

We don't want anything too big, but would ideally like something that stops the big birds knocking it about and emptying the seed that way. Its not so much the problem of them sitting there and eating the food from the feeder, which is why i'm struggling to find a way round it (i.e. weight triggered feeders wont be much help i dont think).

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks
Rowan

 

[Bananafishbones]

Not much help but I wouldnt mind a Raven visiting my garden, your very lucky.

However I get upto 14 jackdaws on a good / bad day and they go through the fatballs in a day also, however if I put bread out I get Rooks (magnificant birds and a species that others would rip my arm off to get visit the garden!!), Carrion, Magpies, Starling, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon and feral pigeon,. Regarding the fatballs all I do is to stop filling up for a day or so to just to let the small birds get a bit of piece while on the other feeders, this seems to work.
Even tonight I have just filled the fatball cage up and have had Coal tits fighting with the Jackdaws for a bit of it, while a Juvenile Woodpigeon sits underneath getting the dropped bits.

I dont think you can win but just need to manage it somehow

Its good to watch though! Enjoy the Raven!!

Dave

 

[rowan57]

Thankyou Like i said, i dont mind them feeding, its more the fact that they dont, they just knock all the seed to the floor. I had a thought though, I can't see any reason why I can't use a squirrel proof nut feeder for seed mixes? The gravity & weight of the seed should be sufficient to stop it all falling out through the holes, and the small birds should still be able to get to it. I think I will try that tomorrow.

Cheers
Rowan

 

[ChrisKten]

As Dave said, you just have to find a way to manage it.

ATM I have the following in my garden:

• 40+ Pigeons
• 40+ Starlings (with the fledglings ATM I've lost count)
• 9 Collard Doves
• 5 Crows
• 2 Magpies with 2 fledglings (and I think 2 more adults)
• 5 Jays
• 20+ Sparrows (again, I've lost count due to the fledglings)
• 3 Wood Pigeons
• 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
• 2 or 3 Sparrowhawks
• 8 Squirrels

I also have a Goldcrest, Robins, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, and a Dunnock, that stay away while all the Starling fledglings are about. Oh, and my garden is only 20 feet square. EDIT: I forgot about the Great Tits and Blue Tits


Everything gets fed, nothing is struggling to survive. It's taken me a couple of years to get it right. I've got trays I hang in the trees that are difficult for the Pigeons to get to (it doesn't stop all of them though). I hang a scraps feeder where only the Starlings, Collard Doves, and Sparrows can get to it easily. The list goes on...

You just have to work out what can go where etc. It's fun trying to work it all out, and great when it all works.|=)|

.

 

[Pete Mella]

Now we have major issues with Jackdaws/Ravens/Magpies.

Surely carrion crows or rooks and not ravens... :eek!: Really can't imagine one on a West Yorkshire seed feeder...

 

[ChrisKten]

Surely carrion crows or rooks and not ravens... :eek!: Really can't imagine one on a West Yorkshire seed feeder...

I did wonder about that myself. But seeing as I've never been to Yorkshire I didn't like to say anything.

For all I know there could be Ravens in the gardens in Yorkshire, mind you, I guess they would destroy a feeder.

 

[bradinho]

Ravens in the garden - Awesome! Not saying I don't believe it but you would certainly know about that!!!

I am fortunate/unfortunate regards corvids and so called "pests/garden nuisances" I had a jackdaw visit recently although I don't what attracted him....

Has anyone found a purpose for slightly out of date eggs? - I left one on my bird table hoping the corvids would take it but as of yet no luck....the one on the ground however only took 3 days/night before something has half eaten it!

 

[ChrisKten]

Ravens in the garden - Awesome! Not saying I don't believe it but you would certainly know about that!!!

I am fortunate/unfortunate regards corvids and so called "pests/garden nuisances" I had a jackdaw visit recently although I don't what attracted him....

Has anyone found a purpose for slightly out of date eggs? - I left one on my bird table hoping the corvids would take it but as of yet no luck....the one on the ground however only took 3 days/night before something has half eaten it!

The only garden nuisances I acknowledge are next door's kids, all other wildlife is welcome.|=)|

About the eggs, I suppose you could always make a cake, birds like cake.

 

[bradinho]

The only garden nuisances I acknowledge are next door's kids, all other wildlife is welcome.|=)|

About the eggs, I suppose you could always make a cake, birds like cake.

With out of date eggs? Is that possible?? Is Gary Rhodes reading this blog???

 

[vanellus]

You can get feeders that screw on top of a pole. They are a little more rigid. The alternative is to have a one sided feeder that screws to a fence or shed wall. Anything that inhibits a shaking action should help.

Personally, I would put the alternative feeders out as well as the others - like other respondants, the chance of having corvids as regular garden birds would be a fine thing, however, Ravens in our garden are highly improbable.