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Post by Taz on May 11, 2020 10:27:36 GMT
Oh no That’s very upsetting Taz, we had that problem one year and we put loads of chicken wire high up just under the nest, cat couldn’t climb over it....we moved the nest box next year Yes, sadly I don't think chicken wire will be sturdy enough. We are definitely moving the box after this season had ended
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Post by greatbluehopeful on May 12, 2020 6:20:23 GMT
Hi Taz, Really sorry to read this about the cat attack on your birdbox...the little f*cker. Guys, I love cats & would never do them any harm, and sure you know the recent conundrum I got myself because of it, but I'm beginning to really turn against them...cannot understand their wanton wickedness. Especially when it is not for survival, which at least would allow me to forgive them. Taz, without showing or revealing anything private at your home, I wonder could you post up a picture of the location of your box? I'm just curious as to how they can get up to the entrance hole and for us all to see the pitfalls. My box is not too far up on the side of a wooden shed, and since Spooky has been re-homed, there are now two uninvited, large male cats prowling our garden regularly. Not happy at all about it one bit.
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Post by suep on May 12, 2020 11:11:25 GMT
So sorry to hear about the loss of one of your chicks Taz. Really upsetting and scarey that the cat may try again. Hope all ends well. Sue
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Post by Taz on May 12, 2020 15:06:49 GMT
Hi Taz, Really sorry to read this about the cat attack on your birdbox...the little f*cker. Guys, I love cats & would never do them any harm, and sure you know the recent conundrum I got myself because of it, but I'm beginning to really turn against them...cannot understand their wanton wickedness. Especially when it is not for survival, which at least would allow me to forgive them. Taz, without showing or revealing anything private at your home, I wonder could you post up a picture of the location of your box? I'm just curious as to how they can get up to the entrance hole and for us all to see the pitfalls. My box is not too far up on the side of a wooden shed, and since Spooky has been re-homed, there are now two uninvited, large male cats prowling our garden regularly. Not happy at all about it one bit. This is our box The cat sat on the v to the left of the box. The cat climbed onto the tree again today, but we didn't let him stay too long 😂
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hardy
Senior Member
Posts: 166
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Post by hardy on May 12, 2020 16:03:18 GMT
Sorry Taz to hear the cat got one of your chicks. I have a cat that visits my garden but so far I seem to be ok. Hope the rest survive the attack.
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 12, 2020 16:20:25 GMT
Oh Taz, Just read about it getting 1 chick! I do think that box needs putting someone safer next year after last year and this year, Isn't fair on the birds really. If this is popular place for you and you don't want to move it I'd add some spikes to the roof of the box and maybe add something like this below. Says it stops paws and stuff getting into the box and harming the chicks only £8 might be worth looking into if you can't move it. www.arkwildlife.co.uk/product/nestbox-guardian/ "The Nest Box Guardian helps protect nesting birds from aggressive and predatory animals such as squirrels, cats, magpies and others. It is made from rigid plastic and stops paws, claws and beaks from reaching in the nest box and woodpeckers from enlarging the hole to reach the vulnerable chicks inside."
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Post by Taz on May 12, 2020 16:42:04 GMT
Oh Taz, Just read about it getting 1 chick! I do think that box needs putting someone safer next year after last year and this year, Isn't fair on the birds really. If this is popular place for you and you don't want to move it I'd add some spikes to the roof of the box and maybe add something like this below. Says it stops paws and stuff getting into the box and harming the chicks only £8 might be worth looking into if you can't move it. www.arkwildlife.co.uk/product/nestbox-guardian/ "The Nest Box Guardian helps protect nesting birds from aggressive and predatory animals such as squirrels, cats, magpies and others. It is made from rigid plastic and stops paws, claws and beaks from reaching in the nest box and woodpeckers from enlarging the hole to reach the vulnerable chicks inside."
Thanks for this Paul. I wish I had thought about this kind of structure. There are spikes on the roof, and spikes in the v but the cat used the edge of the spikes in the v for a foothold then leant his other foot just below the roof spikes. We have also added the upright pierce of wood onto the side which also has spikes in. It's definitely getting moved next year though. Will have to start looking for alternative sites.
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Post by Beechnut on May 12, 2020 18:16:44 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss of a chick Taz - nest boxes in trees often lend themselves to investigations by cats, all my boxes in trees have at some time or other been visited by cats intent on easy pickings.
The box I have now is the safest from cats ever - it's on a wall!
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Post by Taz on May 12, 2020 18:27:40 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss of a chick Taz - nest boxes in trees often lend themselves to investigations by cats, all my boxes in trees have at some time or other been visited by cats intent on easy pickings. The box I have now is the safest from cats ever - it's on a wall! Thanks Beechnut, how high up is your box and what direction does it face please x
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Post by blueeyedchick on May 12, 2020 19:06:17 GMT
I don't know Taz what else you can do when it is in a tree, this is why I think on a brick wall is best. However, if you move it next season you might not get a nest at all. Just have to chance it if that is the decision you make. Paul, that is a very good idea you have presented on Taz's thread. I haven't had a problem so far with Cats getting being keen to look in my boxes but I will keep this gadget in mind.
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Post by hfriel on May 12, 2020 19:27:30 GMT
Sorry to hear about your loss of a chick Taz - nest boxes in trees often lend themselves to investigations by cats, all my boxes in trees have at some time or other been visited by cats intent on easy pickings. The box I have now is the safest from cats ever - it's on a wall! Thanks Beechnut, how high up is your box and what direction does it face please x First 2 years I had nestboxes in trees, but after seeing ‘the big grey paw’ in my nestbox on my telly, I moved it to a wall outside our kitchen. I did manage to spread chicken wire that year though all around base of box which the cat couldn’t climb over, but you have a fence behind which is a bit more awkward. My box with the BTs is about 3M high facing North and has a nest every year there for the last 8 years.
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Post by Taz on May 12, 2020 19:31:58 GMT
Thanks Beechnut. I'll get surveying the house 😂
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Post by greatbluehopeful on May 12, 2020 19:46:46 GMT
That plastic thing is a great idea.
Thanks for posting the picture of the location of the box...really helps you see through a cats eyes.
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Post by sammi on May 15, 2020 7:20:37 GMT
Such a shame about the chick Taz. We always have cats prowling about the garden. I have squeezy bottles of water to hand to speed them on their way when I see them but I can't watch all the time. I hope you can cat proof it successfully. Best of luck.🤗
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Post by Beechnut on May 15, 2020 8:28:30 GMT
Sorry Taz - missed your post ref my wallbox, however, it is 7ft 6in (old money) to the hole and faces north.
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Post by Taz on May 15, 2020 16:20:25 GMT
Sorry Taz - missed your post ref my wallbox, however, it is 7ft 6in (old money) to the hole and faces north. Thanks Beechnut, I work in old money too.
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Post by Taz on May 15, 2020 19:04:52 GMT
Feeding a growing brood
Wing Flapping in progress
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Post by YorksherLass on May 16, 2020 10:47:15 GMT
Taz, two lovely clips of the family - laughed at the second one whereby the chick treads on all the others testing out his wings!
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 16, 2020 10:59:05 GMT
Lovely videos Taz! Look really healthy.
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Post by Taz on May 16, 2020 16:00:08 GMT
Taz, two lovely clips of the family - laughed at the second one whereby the chick treads on all the others testing out his wings! Thanks YorksherLass, yes, that made us laugh too. They keep sitting on each other now. So funny.
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Post by Taz on May 16, 2020 16:00:50 GMT
Lovely videos Taz! Look really healthy. Thanks Paul, can I have your autograph please 😉
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hardy
Senior Member
Posts: 166
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Post by hardy on May 16, 2020 16:34:42 GMT
Great videos Taz. When are they due to fledge.
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hardy
Senior Member
Posts: 166
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Post by hardy on May 16, 2020 16:34:57 GMT
Great videos Taz. When are they due to fledge.
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Post by Taz on May 16, 2020 16:39:50 GMT
Great videos Taz. When are they due to fledge. Thanks Hardy, I think they are due from Thursday.
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Post by Taz on May 17, 2020 7:24:44 GMT
Bit of a scare this morning, a woodpecker took a keen interest in our box 😱. We set up an alarm via Raspberry pi, up until now we had a couple of false triggers. Glad it alerted us though. Woodpecker successfully chased off 😁
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