Oh Pete - I know what you mean. You feel that they're part of your family and you just want them to succeed. Nothing you can do.
What a pity you can't do something about the neighbour though. If they genuinely care about feeding, perhaps you could mention that they're 'overdoing it a bit' in a nice way, and explain about the blackies, and the excess food. It might help ...a little bit...
Certainly - the rats are an issue....
I'm currently making chicken stock from the chicken we had last night for dinner. We're such hypocrites!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'll let nature decide what happens to the eggs if they get to that stage, I'll just hope they're ok. Would be a wonder to see the babies fledged for once. There are plenty of other nests around the garden.
Rats were a problem for a few years, but not seen one in a while, so whilst they still around I'm sure I don't hear them scuttling about and eating through just about everything. I see a little field mouse now and then, but that's fine. Many years ago my fish pond would be boiling with frogs in late winter/spring and I never had a slug problem. Since the rats are more plentiful I've not seen a frog in years now - so sad and I can't grow the beautiful hostas and the like any more. So I've got a new wildlife pond at the end of the garden now . Will be ready in the next couple of months, so hopefully the frogs will return as it's 100ft or so from the other pond
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Just keep an eye out for if/when they leave the nest, as they remain on the ground for 2+ weeks before flying - most dangerous time with foxes and cats around. The mother will come back to feed them and hide them in dense hedge growth. Keep putting out bird food and hope they at least reach this next stage they are great at searching for hidden slugs.
Hopefully you can get a balance back Pete. That's very interesting (and sad) about your frog population. Is that definitely down to the rats though?
Perhaps you could take action yourself re the rats, if you feel they still have an impact. I know there's stuff available to us ordinary punters to use, and it seems to be reasonably effective. The usual measures have to be taken of course, to avoid affecting other wildlife, but I'm sure you know that anyway. Good luck with the new pond anyway - hope the froggies return. Let us see the progress of it if you can. We always like to see a pond or two
Know what you mean Hosta. They can be a real pain, although I'm not adding to your retirement by mentioning the other one which I think is worse.....
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Oh Pete - I know what you mean. You feel that they're part of your family and you just want them to succeed. Nothing you can do.
What a pity you can't do something about the neighbour though. If they genuinely care about feeding, perhaps you could mention that they're 'overdoing it a bit' in a nice way, and explain about the blackies, and the excess food. It might help ...a little bit...
Certainly - the rats are an issue....
I'm currently making chicken stock from the chicken we had last night for dinner. We're such hypocrites!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Today at 14:19
Certainly - the rats are an issue....
Especially those north american rats with the bushy tails. They're the worst vermin.
I'll let nature decide what happens to the eggs if they get to that stage, I'll just hope they're ok. Would be a wonder to see the babies fledged for once.
There are plenty of other nests around the garden.
Rats were a problem for a few years, but not seen one in a while, so whilst they still around I'm sure I don't hear them scuttling about and eating through just about everything. I see a little field mouse now and then, but that's fine.
. Will be ready in the next couple of months, so hopefully the frogs will return as it's 100ft or so from the other pond
Many years ago my fish pond would be boiling with frogs in late winter/spring and I never had a slug problem. Since the rats are more plentiful I've not seen a frog in years now - so sad and I can't grow the beautiful hostas and the like any more.
So I've got a new wildlife pond at the end of the garden now
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Just keep an eye out for if/when they leave the nest, as they remain on the ground for 2+ weeks before flying - most dangerous time with foxes and cats around. The mother will come back to feed them and hide them in dense hedge growth. Keep putting out bird food and hope they at least reach this next stage
they are great at searching for hidden slugs.
Last edited: 24 March 2017 17:00:45
Hopefully you can get a balance back Pete. That's very interesting (and sad) about your frog population. Is that definitely down to the rats though?
Perhaps you could take action yourself re the rats, if you feel they still have an impact. I know there's stuff available to us ordinary punters to use, and it seems to be reasonably effective. The usual measures have to be taken of course, to avoid affecting other wildlife, but I'm sure you know that anyway. Good luck with the new pond anyway - hope the froggies return. Let us see the progress of it if you can. We always like to see a pond or two
Know what you mean Hosta. They can be a real pain, although I'm not adding to your retirement by mentioning the other one which I think is worse.....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
considerably worse.