Paul Longland
Well-known member
I am currently sitting looking at a deserted feeding station in my back garden as a result of my neighbours actions.
I only have a small patch of suburban garden. I live on a corner so the house to my side and rear have the large gardens and mine is the square patch between. I have a good mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennial/annual borders and a small patio area with a 4' square raised pond. I do not have the space to grow any trees. However, as the neighbouring gardens are all much larger than mine I was surrounded by many mature trees and large shrubs etc.
However, the tale of woe started at the beginning of this year when one of my neighbours cut down the large London plane tree that overhung my garden. He did this because, without asking, he believed that I thought it was a nuisance after I cut off a branch that was looking a bit dodgy following a storm. This tree overhung my pond, providing shade for the fish and which helped to keep the algae down. It was also perfect cover for birds to nip in and out to my feeders which were close by, especially when the local Sprawk was patrolling.
As if that was not bad enough, a couple of months ago, my other neighbour who is 101 years old, unfortunately had to go to live in a care home. Her relatives, who understandably need to rent/sell the house decided that this would be easier of the garden was laid bare. They asked the gardener who had tended it for the last few years since my neighbour could not do it herself, to cut everything down. This he refused so they got rid of him and set to themselves with saws, strimmers and brush cutters. All that now remains is a large patch of bare grass and soil with a few stumps where once there was a variety of mature flowering shrubs, fruit and berry trees etc
Needless to say, in the last couple of weeks the only birds coming to my feeders have been the usual woodpigeons, a couple of sparrows, a single blue tit and a great tit. So no more goldcrests, winter blackcaps, long tailed tits finches etc etc that I used to enjoy.
Not only have my neighbours completely destroyed some wonderful urban habitat, my immediate skyline is now devoid of any interest. I know that this is their property and they can do what they like but it is a complete disaster from my point of view. Personally I do not understand their thinking as, if I were looking to buy a house I would rather it had some mature features and then work from there. keep what I liked, and replace the rest. It will take many years to restore what was once there. In the meantime all my birds have decided that my feeding station is no longer suitable as there is no cover available from predators, places to simply forage or trees from which to stake their claims, build their nests etc.
I could cry at the wanton damage.:-C
I only have a small patch of suburban garden. I live on a corner so the house to my side and rear have the large gardens and mine is the square patch between. I have a good mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs, perennial/annual borders and a small patio area with a 4' square raised pond. I do not have the space to grow any trees. However, as the neighbouring gardens are all much larger than mine I was surrounded by many mature trees and large shrubs etc.
However, the tale of woe started at the beginning of this year when one of my neighbours cut down the large London plane tree that overhung my garden. He did this because, without asking, he believed that I thought it was a nuisance after I cut off a branch that was looking a bit dodgy following a storm. This tree overhung my pond, providing shade for the fish and which helped to keep the algae down. It was also perfect cover for birds to nip in and out to my feeders which were close by, especially when the local Sprawk was patrolling.
As if that was not bad enough, a couple of months ago, my other neighbour who is 101 years old, unfortunately had to go to live in a care home. Her relatives, who understandably need to rent/sell the house decided that this would be easier of the garden was laid bare. They asked the gardener who had tended it for the last few years since my neighbour could not do it herself, to cut everything down. This he refused so they got rid of him and set to themselves with saws, strimmers and brush cutters. All that now remains is a large patch of bare grass and soil with a few stumps where once there was a variety of mature flowering shrubs, fruit and berry trees etc
Needless to say, in the last couple of weeks the only birds coming to my feeders have been the usual woodpigeons, a couple of sparrows, a single blue tit and a great tit. So no more goldcrests, winter blackcaps, long tailed tits finches etc etc that I used to enjoy.
Not only have my neighbours completely destroyed some wonderful urban habitat, my immediate skyline is now devoid of any interest. I know that this is their property and they can do what they like but it is a complete disaster from my point of view. Personally I do not understand their thinking as, if I were looking to buy a house I would rather it had some mature features and then work from there. keep what I liked, and replace the rest. It will take many years to restore what was once there. In the meantime all my birds have decided that my feeding station is no longer suitable as there is no cover available from predators, places to simply forage or trees from which to stake their claims, build their nests etc.
I could cry at the wanton damage.:-C