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Talkback: Goldfinches, cats and children

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
I am so happy to report that I've had Goldfinches in my garden, after 5 years of trying to entice the more exotic birds, like bullfinches and goldfinches. Over the past three days I have seen pairs of Goldfinches, greenfinches (another wow factor) plus all the excitement of the common birds that visit my garden on a regular basis ie Greattits, Coaltits, bluetits I think they are building a nest in my garden, Wrens, blackbirds, starlings (hundreds) Sparrows, Magpies, Jays and occassionally Sparrowhawks, Rooks & Crows.


Sadly I have a problem with neighbours cats, they seem to think I feed the birds for their bellies. I was advised to try moth balls to keep the cats away, and one in particular is very brazen, he is not scared of my sons two Japanese Akita's - so moth balls are not much of a challenge. Any other suggestions?
The birds still keep coming I am very happy to say and to watch them is awesome. I was beginning to think the only place I could view these birds is at the local RSPB site. Thankfully not! Home is much closer and more environmentally friendlier than driving to the RSPB site, although it's still a fantastic place to visit.

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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I feed the birds regularly using a hi-energy, no mess food, I get less 'weed growth' that way. This year, for the first time, we have gold finches so I have invested in a nyjer feeder and seed to encourage them. I would love to see a wood pecker but no joy. We have three cats but they can't get at my feeders and spend most of the day asleep.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I remember reading somewhere (and my own observations have confirmed this) that it's safer to have a lot of birds in the garden than solitary ones & twos, as there are more pairs of eyes to watch out for predators. Sadly, some will always fall prey to cats, but putting out food to attract large numbers does seem to be safer. Hope that is helpful, Roy.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I too spotted a pair of Goldfinch in my garden on Monday of this week. Its a first for me in my 'wildlife garden' on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. What a lovely surprise when I looked out the window to see them bathing at the edge of my small pond. Fantastic.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We have Goldfinches in abundance also Siskins both of course love the nyger seed and sunflower hearts. I have recently planted four Alder trees as both the above birds love the seed from the small cones. To-day the 3rd April I have noticed fewer coming to the feeders I think they other things on their minds!! From S Roulston from the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I live in surrey and I have been in my flat now for seven months, its taken a while to tackle the overgrown mess, it is starting to show some great potential with some hard work however. I have been feeding the wild birds since moving in (my african grey now mimics their calls) but my problem is the squirrels and the neighbours cats also-I don't want to exclude the squirrels I just wish they'd leave some food for the birds.I have 3 robins and 3 pairs of blackbirds, blue tits and some great tits and another regular is a fox. Any suggestions welcome.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    This isn't meant to shock but I put my scent down around the garden well diluted and it does deter cats, its noticeable that the cats go through the gardens either side of ours, I am a Garden Birdwatcher for BTO, so the last thing I want is cats roaming through.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    If you have the time you should try a water pistol, cats really hate getting wet and it's not harmful to them, after a while they should get the message.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    The wildlife in the garden is now in abundance with the usual inflow of birds with blue tits, great tits, wrens, with no shortage of sparrows and starlings. I also noticed that a jackdaw has begun building a nest in a neighbours chimney pot, luckily the neighbour informs me that the said chimney is no longer in use and is blocked off. Will keep a watch on this. Blue tits are nesting in the nest boxes on the garage and the garden itself is covered in snow this morning. the sun is shining and the snow is fast disappearing though.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have had 2 pairs of gold finches in my front garden nearly all winter. Why I cannot work out, my back garden is where the fields, bushes and trees are. Although my front garden has a pond and about 20 shrubs I suppose that is where their food is? I am very pleased as they are probably one of my favourite birds.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    What a joy it is to watch the wildlife in your garden. We have had Goldfinches since last year when they bought their young to feed. Now we have Long Tailed Tits feeding on fat balls every day. On the problem of cats, I have the cat scarers as advised by the RSPB which do keep the cats away.
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