| Birders / gardeners 21:23 - May 4 with 924 views | bluelagos |
So got some grass seed ready to overseed / reseed my lawn. Last time I used it, the local birds turned up for a free meal thus leaving my lawn as poor as ever.
So my cunning plan, have purchased some bird seed and a hanger.
So my question, will my diversion treat / tactic leave them full and my grass seed free to grow? Or will the bird seed attract a load more birds who then double up on the offerings? |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:14 - May 4 with 838 views | ronnyd |
You used to be able to get seed that the birds wouldn't eat. Don.t know if it's still available these days though. |  | | |
| Birders / gardeners on 22:15 - May 4 with 838 views | Ryorry |
I'm no expert but basically, I think you need to put some protection over your lawn seed or they'll be 'avin it. Netting if warm, light fleece for night frosts, hail etc if that's necessary.
Make sure the soil temp is warm enough too, & sow just before *light* showers/rain is forecast to save having to water (apols if you already knew that). |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:22 - May 4 with 810 views | ghostofescobar |
Cover the seed with a thin dressing of good quality top soil, no more than 1cm, rather than just spreading and raking. Gives the seed a much better start and keeps the pesky budgies, I mean birds away. |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:24 - May 4 with 805 views | Dubtractor |
You'll just attract more birds, especially at this time of year when they are feeding like mad to prepare for nesting and all that jazz.
The best bet is to cover with netting of some sort to try and give the seed the chance to germinate. |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:25 - May 4 with 801 views | jeera |
You have to wear an old hat and overcoat and stand in the middle of the lawn.
Better still if you pretend to be tied to a wooden post.
They hate that apparently. |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:28 - May 4 with 786 views | bluelagos |
Cheers all for the comments. | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:33 - May 4 with 770 views | jeera |
| Birders / gardeners on 22:28 - May 4 by bluelagos |
Cheers all for the comments. |
Matey who said cover the seed gets my vote for what it's worth.
It's heartbreaking to see a ground feeder like a blackbird crawl under the netting and get itself caught up.
Lots of shiny things, old cds, foil...on string maybe. | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:38 - May 4 with 750 views | Dubtractor |
| Birders / gardeners on 22:33 - May 4 by jeera |
Matey who said cover the seed gets my vote for what it's worth.
It's heartbreaking to see a ground feeder like a blackbird crawl under the netting and get itself caught up.
Lots of shiny things, old cds, foil...on string maybe. |
I've tried the CD on a string trick before. Unfortunately was about as effective as a chocolate fire-guard.
Lagos could try being a real life scare-crow and spend a couple of weeks shouting at birds? | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:39 - May 4 with 745 views | jeera |
Create a hostile environment by making them feel unwelcome:
content://com.amazon.cloud9.FileProvider/images/screenshot/16201642709662039375130.jpg | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 22:43 - May 4 with 739 views | jeera |
| Birders / gardeners on 22:38 - May 4 by Dubtractor |
I've tried the CD on a string trick before. Unfortunately was about as effective as a chocolate fire-guard.
Lagos could try being a real life scare-crow and spend a couple of weeks shouting at birds? |
He could try playing some lousy cds instead.
I did suggest the scarecrow act but no interest.
You can't help some people. | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 23:01 - May 4 with 698 views | Ryorry |
Good link, thanks.
And if all those fail, a life-size blow up Delia, accompanied by a recording on loop of "let's be avin ya", would surely be enough to scare off any intelligent bird. | |
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| Birders / gardeners on 08:30 - May 5 with 508 views | WeWereZombies |
| Birders / gardeners on 22:14 - May 4 by ronnyd |
You used to be able to get seed that the birds wouldn't eat. Don.t know if it's still available these days though. |
I think this is the case with Levington, scattered a whole box of it around a large patch of my little acre a few years ago and have a very decent lawn area there now (except the weather this year has encouraged too much moss), never had any problem with birds predating on the seed. |  |
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| Birders / gardeners on 08:35 - May 5 with 502 views | bluelagos |
Cheers Bankster. Seems they stole my idea for tip no 4 :-)
Gonna wait til Friday and throw a shed load of seed down seeing as how it looks like grass growing weather from Saturday.
Will leave the suggested "mad man shouting at birds" routine as backup. | |
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