Advice for somebody living in a city in the UK, please (2 Viewers)

[LondonNewbie]

Hi, can’t help with your question. I just wanted to say welcome to the forum.

Thanks I loved Hughes when I was young. I still do, but less time.

 

[LondonNewbie]

I reckon there's a very good chance that great and blue tits are already established in your area, as well as other neat birds (goldfinches, wagtails, blackbirds, robins, starlings etc). If you hang up a couple of feeders, or indeed cultivate bird-friendly shrubs etc. in your garden (link here might be useful) you'll almost certainly get to see them, plus some perhaps less welcome birds such as magpies, woodpigeons and parakeets.

Perhaps the most nature-friendly use of a flat roof might be to turn it into a "green roof" - but you might want to check if the building will bear the extra weight. (link)

Glad to hear about your plans - and hope they are successful and provide you much enjoyment.

We get parakeets. Are they really from Jimi Hendrix?

I think a green roof is complicated because of access but are there any other options?

Thanks

 

[LondonNewbie]

I use Tom Chambers squirrel proof feeders - not cheap, but very effective... and I like the look of them.

Birds like to be able to see what might be coming at them from all angles, so consider that when you position your feeders.

If you put up bird boxes, you can buy discs to go over the hole, so that squirrels can't chew at the entrance and get in. I buy food in bulk bags and bulk fat balls from Ark Wildlife - they do the bird box hole covers, but you can buy donut shaped ones on eBay, which is what I've done.

Bird Box Hole Protectors & Plates | Nest Box Protection - Ark Wildlife UK

Our nest box protection helps guard nests from the environment & provides wildlife with a sturdy home to rest in. View our range here.

www.arkwildlife.co.uk

The RSPB website is a good source of information and if you visit a local reserve you'll find people happy to answer every question you can think of. You can join the RSPB on a 'pay what you can afford' basis with direct debit. Membership gives you free entry to reserves and their car parks, and a monthly magazine (or it might be quarterly - can't remember how often I get mine).

Have fun.

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Thanks - I am not sure where the nearest one is but will look into it

 

[lockbreeze926]

Re squirrels - I use this (on a free-standing pole) :

Widely available - B&Q etc. Just make sure it's high enough on the pole to stop them jumping onto the surface. It's mildly amusing to watch them be mystified.

Re parakeets - nothing to do with Hendrix, but the story is a good one.

 

[LondonNewbie]

Re squirrels - I use this (on a free-standing pole) : View attachment 1610361

Widely available - B&Q etc. Just make sure it's high enough on the pole to stop them jumping onto the surface. It's mildly amusing to watch them be mystified.

Re parakeets - nothing to do with Hendrix, but the story is a good one.

We have gone for a squirrel-proof dispenser on a table. Hopefully, that should work.

What is the true story about the parakeets?

 

[lockbreeze926]

"The earliest recorded sightings were in Dulwich in 1893 and Brixton in 1894. A breeding pair were reported in Epping Forest in 1930."

The great green expansion: how ring-necked parakeets took over London

Was Jimi Hendrix responsible for the bright-green tropical birds’ presence in the capital? Or was it Katharine Hepburn?

www.theguardian.com

 

[LondonNewbie]

"The earliest recorded sightings were in Dulwich in 1893 and Brixton in 1894. A breeding pair were reported in Epping Forest in 1930."

The great green expansion: how ring-necked parakeets took over London

Was Jimi Hendrix responsible for the bright-green tropical birds’ presence in the capital? Or was it Katharine Hepburn?

www.theguardian.com

That's brilliant. Thanks

 

[Andy Lakin]

However you are feeding make sure it is practical to clean your feeders regularly to prevent build up of any diseases hanging about. It may take a while but I would put a smallish amount out while the birds start coming as in this weather food spoils pretty quickly. It is very tempting to start with tonnes of food out but birds are amazing at finding a food source.

You might not get much joy at first as there is plenty of natural food about still, but it should get busier as it gets into winter.

Also you might want to consider replacing the odd shrub with something more appealing to the birds. My favourite is any of the dwarf crab apples if you have limited space but there are tons of other suitable shrubs especially Berry bearing ones.

 

[LondonNewbie]

However you are feeding make sure it is practical to clean your feeders regularly to prevent build up of any diseases hanging about. It may take a while but I would put a smallish amount out while the birds start coming as in this weather food spoils pretty quickly. It is very tempting to start with tonnes of food out but birds are amazing at finding a food source.

You might not get much joy at first as there is plenty of natural food about still, but it should get busier as it gets into winter.

Also you might want to consider replacing the odd shrub with something more appealing to the birds. My favourite is any of the dwarf crab apples if you have limited space but there are tons of other suitable shrubs especially Berry bearing ones.

Thanks for the reply. What sort of food would you recommend?

 

[Andy Lakin]

Thanks for the reply. What sort of food would you recommend?

Personally I wouldn't bother with sunflower seeds but use sunflower hearts instead to reduce mess and obviously peanuts. A lot of people swear by nyjer seed for Goldfinches but they can be very messy producing lots of seedlings and spoil easily if they get damp. Personally I don't use fat balls due to being a veggie but understand they are fantastic for a variety of species. My other half runs a catering business and the local starlings love any meat etc that otherwise would have gone to.waste.

There is no need to pay a fortune for feed, there are lots of reputable companies that guarantee the quality/ safety of their goods. The prices vary each time you shop so try a variety of retailers if shopping online. If practical buy in bulk to save a lot of money.

 

[Peregrine Took]

Thanks for the reply. What sort of food would you recommend?

Like I said, try Ark Wildlife for bulk food - it'll save you money. Get a mixed variety.
.

 

[LondonNewbie]

Personally I wouldn't bother with sunflower seeds but use sunflower hearts instead to reduce mess and obviously peanuts. A lot of people swear by nyjer seed for Goldfinches but they can be very messy producing lots of seedlings and spoil easily if they get damp. Personally I don't use fat balls due to being a veggie but understand they are fantastic for a variety of species. My other half runs a catering business and the local starlings love any meat etc that otherwise would have gone to.waste.

There is no need to pay a fortune for feed, there are lots of reputable companies that guarantee the quality/ safety of their goods. The prices vary each time you shop so try a variety of retailers if shopping online. If practical buy in bulk to save a lot of money.

Really useful. Thanks

 

[LondonNewbie]

Like I said, try Ark Wildlife for bulk food - it'll save you money. Get a mixed variety.
.

Thanks the fats balls are very popular it seems