Re: Pigeon nuisance

I have bird feeders (RSPB) with guards to exclude pigeons in our back garden, really a large paved yard with some beds and containers plants.

The pigeons come to feed on the seeds and husks dropped by the smaller birds.

The pigeon are coming in such large numbers and are now a considerable nuisance in every way.

We need to solve this, otherwise we will have to stop feeding altogether which we do not want to do.

It is not an option to use netting etc. due to the layout and use of this space.

As per the RSPB advice, audible deterrents will deter small birds as well 

Hi Fred can you put trays on the feeders to catch the spillage?

Thanks doggie,

My feeders are suspended onhooks from a RSPB pole, so not easy to put trays underneath and I expect the pigeosn would simply go there instead of the ground

Have a look under the feeders and you may see a threaded hole designed to take a tray, you can get all sizes shopping.rspb.org.uk/.../bird-feeder-seed-tray-small.html

About to go out, will have a look in the morning.  Sounds hopeful if the pigeons do not simply use it.

If you get the small ones if they decide to try and use it only one will get on and if you have guards on the feeders you may be able to come up with something ( like wires going from the tray to the guard) to stop even one going on them.

Hi Fred, I also have the same pigeon problem.  They really are becoming a nuisance.  I got rid of any loose feeders and have all feeders with guards and the pigeons now swoop in as soon as the little birds come along and they take whatever lands. They also land on top of the feeders to stop the little birds going in!  I have noticed though - that the small birds try to get in there before the pigeons arrive.  As soon as they start dropping seeds though, I think the pigeons have a noisey seed radar, they arrive pretty quickly!  I don't want to stop all my lovely birds coming in, but I may have to sooner or later.  I have tried water pistols too!!  The pigeons think I'm giving them a shower so I've stopped that one!

I made some cages out of wire mesh and bamboo which sit on the ground under the feeders. Squirrels and small birds can get in but not the pigeons. After a few days the pigeon numbers drop. If you then take away the cages the couple of pigeons left clean up the dropped seed and you can pop them back.

Second one was a lot neater. Two sides have wide mesh. Bamboo from the garden. Mesh and cable ties from Wilkinsons.

Hi Ken,

Brilliant and simple idea and your pics help.  I just have to decidewhether to go for big mesh to let the little guys in or version 2 wuhich would be more rigid etc.

Version 2 is more rigid but has 2 sides (right side in picture) made of the wider mesh used in version 1 or a couple more bamboos on the side would keep the pigeons out.

The wire mesh is http://tinyurl.com/9gv9l7c. I think it was one roll cut in half and joined on the top bamboo. All held together with cable ties. About £6 if you have the bamboo.

Hi Ken,

I am in luck as I have both mesh and bamboo from screens I made to keep the dog our of things when he was a pup.  He is grown up and no longer bothers.  I can now recycle the bits. I will also try making an outer wire guard for the suspened feeder as a few pigeons manage to hang on an get at the feed.

Fred

Poor pigeons!  I have given up shooing them off - we have around 20ish that come for breakfast and tea every day.  They sit on the roof for hours - but are no trouble, then they come down for about 5 mins and then are off.  I know that they're classed as vermin, but really...............I'd rather have a pigeon mopping up the seeds than a rat!