We've got a bird food table just outside the lounge, we get loads of robins, blackbirds, starlings, magpies and about a million sparrows on it. All of these I'm happy with, but we also get pigeons, who hoover up the contents in about 30 seconds - they're becoming conditioned to being threatened by a feather duster, so I need to take it up a notch. Now, I don't want to injure or even hurt them, just scare the buggers off - would a cheap BB gun do them any damage? Or anything similar that'll give them a start but not hurt them?
I should just get used to the pigeons, shouldn't I... 🙁
Nerf gun, or if they are wood pigeons, not the flying rat variety, leave them be
Water pistol?
Oh dear not going to end well.
Remember the flak wca got for dispatching his fluffy rats.
You have the flying variety
Seems strange that you are willing to tolerate magpies, which are rather nasty pieces of work, and want to start potting at pigeons, who are fairly harmless. Seems you only want to feed those birds that are acceptable to your standards! Can't you arrange feeders that are only accessible to smaller birds, if you're concerned about larger ones hoovering up the food. Crows and jackdaws can take quite a bit of food too, they're bigger after all.
Seems to me that setting up a bird feeder then potting at some birds with a bb gun is breaking rule 1. And no, I don't think you could do so without injuring them.
Personally, I'd start with the magpies.
You can get feeders that only work for smaller birds.
They're quite tasty you know.
But if you're going to feed birds, expect birds.
Any tips for keeping the blighters out of my cherry tree greatly appreciated. Last year they were doing acrobatics a squirrel would be proud of to get the ones on the skinny branches.
Put an extended roof on it, then the bigger birds won't be able to get in?
Buy new feeders. You’re feeding them so what did you expect?
Illegal and pretty shitty as well.
Don't do it.
But I only want to feed the pretty ones 🙁 (braces for flaming)
Interestingly, when the magpies started taking an interest, I thought they would see the pigeons off - no such luck, they give as good as they get!
Put an extended roof on it, then the bigger birds won’t be able to get in?
That's not a bad idea - it all started with putting a bowl on the ground to feed the blackbirds, but we (predictably) started to get mice. We use an old cracked bird bath now, so mice are less of an issue, but a roof to stop pigeons (and magpies - sigh 🙁 ) getting at it might be just the job. 🙂
would a cheap BB gun do them any damage? Or anything similar that’ll give them a start but not hurt them
Have you ever been shot woth a bb pellet! It may be made of plastic but it stings alot. Now imagine it was a similar size to a golf ball..thats what it would be like for a pigeon!
Nerf gun or water pistol far better. Or just accept that if you are going to feed birds that include pigeons
Put an extended roof on it, then the bigger birds won’t be able to get in?
That’s not a bad idea – it all started with putting a bowl on the ground to feed the blackbirds, but we (predictably) started to get mice. We use an old cracked bird bath now, so mice are less of an issue, but a roof to stop pigeons (and magpies – sigh 🙁 ) getting at it might be just the job. 🙂
I hope you don't mind handling them, they'll still get under the roof they just won't get out.
Bb gun is liable to do enough damage to actually injure them so not the best choice.
Nerf gun or supersoaker would get them moving but be less likely to harm them.
There are various cages you can get which would block the larger birds but can be rather ugly.
Have you ever been shot woth a bb pellet!
I have not - never even seen one, hence the question. 🙂 Thanks for the nerf/water pistol suggestions, will consider them, a roof (and pigeon-proof gloves) and just letting them be. 🙂
Have you ever been shot woth a bb pellet! It may be made of plastic but it stings alot.
AIUI a BB gun fires steel ball bearings, that's what "BB" stands for. What you're describing is airsoft, no?
Make the feeders too 'swing-y' for a big pigeon.
Allow me to explain:
We have cats so suspending feeders out of reach was a priority - as was trying to prevent bird food reaching the ground where ground-feeding birds would be too easy a target.
So we have a length of washing line across the garden (about 8 feet off the ground). The feeders are suspended from it on hooks and away from trees. So far it has deterred most ground feeding birds and squirrels. Something had learned to jolt the feeders until they fell, but that was fixed by using short velcro straps to double secure the feeders. I also originally put small plastic plates suspended under the feeders too - to reduce food on the ground.
So we have a line of feeders that don't attract ground feeding birds (so the cats can't pick them off), are secure enough not to be shaken to the ground, but swing too violently for larger birds (which is not the desired effect although Jackdaws are clever enough to work out a method), but especially squirrels.
This setup took some time to develop!
I have a pigeon problem! They sit on the roof and s*** all over my conservatory roof.
Water pistol isn't powerful enough so I just end up clapping like a madman and shouting at them, they tend to just sit there and laugh at me. I did think about some kind of acoustic device/weapon or even a starting pistol but the buggers would probably just laugh at that too,
Stones get thrown but the risk is they bounce back and through the roof.
Before anyone suggests it the roof has medieval looking spikes along the edge and the pigeon appear to think its a game to hang there arses through the gaps and over the edge of the roof. More spikes might be the answer in the long term. Or maybe chaining a cat to the roof 😉
We have a pigeon problem too. We are not feeding though, they just turn up anyway and make a big mess.
So, how about those fake hawks/ peregrine falcons with spinning heads? Like the Exorcist for pigeons and they will be scared for life and never come back? Or will they merely scoff at the ridiculous garden ornament and crack on regardless?
Or maybe chaining a cat to the roof 😉
My mum has had to save a cat sliding down their conservatory roof whilst being swooped by owls.
Cats are useless get a pine marten.
We used to have a dodgy TV ariel on the roof and whenever pigeons landed on it the TV signal went crap.
As soon as the reception started going dodgy my lad used to jump up grab a nerf gun and run out side to shoot them off. He became a bit of a crack shot but it never hurt them.
The thing for me is:
We, as a species, have ****ed up habitat for virtually every other species. So, frankly, being 'annoyed' by certain 'undesirable' species clawing out an existence from our artificial selective pressures (or even attempts to alleviate them), is a bit cuckoo. Pun intended.
My Mum 'hates bloody sparrowhawks' because they predate the 'pretty little birds' she puts feeders out for.
I had a discussion with two cub leaders on a hike and they ooohed and aaahed about how they don't like crows because they 'look sinister'.
🤷♂️
How anyone can dislike something as amazing as a sparrowhawk is beyond me.
Or will they merely scoff at the ridiculous garden ornament and crack on regardless?
They'll work it out pretty quickly. Then they'll use said ornament as another 'shitting perch'. If you've put it on the conservatory roof it will just provide a bit more height for a larger radius of shit-splatter.
My Mum ‘hates bloody sparrowhawks’ because they predate the ‘pretty little birds’ she puts feeders out for.
Can I be honest? We're all friends here, right...? 😉 One very much desired side-effect of attracting loads of sparrows is we do have the occasional super-stealthy visit from a sparrowhawk. Now, I don't feed the sparrows specifically to attract them as raptor bait, but I'm very aware that it happens from time to time.
Edit- that sparrowhawk video is OMFG brilliant! 😀
What you’re describing is airsoft, no?
Strictly speaking yes but BB is often used for both variants now.
we do have the occasional super-stealthy visit from a sparrowhawk
The local one has started hanging around here more. Got a pigeon a whilst back and this week it either got or came very close to getting a starling. Feathers everywhere round the feeder.
The local one has started hanging around here more. Got a pigeon a whilst back and this week it either got or came very close to getting a starling. Feathers everywhere round the feeder.
I'd be well happy with that (especially if it resolves the pigeons issue au natural!). Seen ours maybe three times in the preceding years we've been here, then twice in the last couple of weeks, so fingers crossed. One time it landed on the feeder then dived into the hedge the sparrows hide in - would have killed to have a camera to hand!
Edit- that sparrowhawk video is OMFG brilliant! 😀
The bit through the gate, the spread of the tail to turn on a dime, the approach being a deliberate 'pop-up attack'..... it is utterly transfixing.
I've seen one (apparently) just fly straight through a tiny tunnel in a dense conifer hedge. Obviously it was making thousandth of a second micro adjustments at pace.
CAUTION: some potentially distressing scenes - this is nature!
How does it know that submerging it will kill it? Weird.
The bit through the gate, the spread of the tail to turn on a dime, the approach being a deliberate ‘pop-up attack’….. it is utterly transfixing.
How the hell did they get the shot where it turns round the tree? Or, for that matter, ANY of those shots?!? Incredible. 🙂
I've got a 1.5m square enclosure that I've netted keeps the pigeons out also keeps the crows from unhooking the feeders and breaking them
Strictly speaking yes but BB is often used for both variants now.
Fair enough. I know very little about firearms. I've played airsoft though, that was a lot of fun until the Johnny Rambo types turned up with full auto guns dialled up to a gnat's cock below maximum legal power.
want to start potting at pigeons, who are fairly harmless.
Not really harmless. Pigeon have ticks, loads of ticks and their dry poop tend to turn into dust. Dust that caries really bad stuff straight into your orifices and lungs.
Cheers!
I.
We've had plenty of sparrow hawk visits to the feeders in our garden. Both male and female
Some we are lucky enough to see, they are so driven and aggressive its mesmerizing.
We had a young male in who missed his attack but hung around for 20 mins in the garden, that was special
Sure thing, what flows your way, but stating pigeons are harmless is not true.
Cheers!
I.
OP, get a feeder that only wee birds can use, the wee birds will make a mess and the pigeons will hoover the mess up, but then again so will teh dunnocks and black birds.
we havea sparrowhawk that frequents the garden, flys up the drive, pops over the gate and fence, back down, banks right then left round teh garage, up the lawn and boom catches a sparrow off the feeder. we don't have a big garden so this all happens lightning fast.
I've also seen one fly over the road in front of teh car in front of me, snatch a robin on the wing then cross back over the road in front of me.
Pretty impressive beasties
@CougarAIUI a BB gun fires steel ball bearings, that’s what “BB” stands for.
actually no, although most people probably assume this is what it means as they do superficially resemble bearing balls ([I]not[/I] "ball bearings" which is the complete bearing assembly including the races rather than just the balls, another very common error 😉)
It's derived from the type of lead shot used for shotguns which it's very similar in size to (there's also B and BBB among many others!)... I've seen it suggested that it might stand for "bulleted breech" but there's no consensus and I think what it really stands for has been long-forgotten, if it ever even stood for anything at all!
Sounds like a reasonable plan to me, just test it first by shooting yourself in the face when you're feeling hungry. If you're still alive but no longer worrying about being a bit peckish then you've proved it's a good deterrent
OMG, a hotbed, a nest of bird racists!
Pigeonist - and proud. 😉
zilog6128
Full MemberAIUI a BB gun fires steel ball bearings, that’s what “BB” stands for.
@Cougar
actually no, although most people probably assume this is what it means as they do superficially resemble bearing balls (not “ball bearings” which is the complete bearing assembly including the races rather than just the balls, another very common error 😉)It’s derived from the type of lead shot used for shotguns which it’s very similar in size to (there’s also B and BBB among many others!)… I’ve seen it suggested that it might stand for “bulleted breech” but there’s no consensus and I think what it really stands for has been long-forgotten, if it ever even stood for anything at all!
@zilog6128 good answer. In the US sizing system BB equates to approx 4.5mm or .177". In the English system BB is smaller at around 4mm. Loads of other letter abbreviations for shot sizes, LG, SG, SSG, AAA etc. As with BB people think LG stands for 'large game', SG 'small game' etc. but these are also misconceptions. Its just an archaic code.
'Bulleted breech' is something different however. "Bulleted breech caps" were an early type of .22 rimfire ammunition in which a percussion cap had a rim formed and a .22 calibre ball inserted (see also CB caps - with a conical bullet). It was powered solely by the priming compound with no additional powder added. You can still get them and they are used as a very low power cartridge which can be fired from guns chambered for more powerful types of .22 rimfire round.
Yes, as you ask I AM an absolute hoot at parties! 😆
I got shot in the head with a BB gun once, plastic pellet. I had a massive egg-shaped bruise as a result. I was about seven and that was at point blank range, but I reckon it could **** a pigeon up pretty good.
Given the multiple blackbirds my various neighbours' horrid cats have killed and left in my garden this year, I might get one and start picking those off 😉
Get a cocker spaniel, mine absolutely loves chasing pigeons
I had a discussion with two cub leaders on a hike and they ooohed and aaahed about how they don’t like crows because they ‘look sinister’.
I quite like crows they are clever buggers. We've got a hanging bird feeder for small birds. It hangs from a little wrought iron bracket. One crow used to lift it off and drop it on the ground to get to the feed. I loosely cabled tied it so when the crow lifted it off it would just hang from the cable tie. After a couple of days it figured it out and moved the cable tie before it moved the feeder so it would still fall to the ground.
Well good heavens. Every day is a school day, I had no idea.
Thank you both.
loads of options for feeding small birds and keeping the big ones off
An upturned shopping basket would do the job!
You'll keep the magpie's off the bird table as well - but they they're happiest just eating the baby birds out of other nests anyway...
Get a cocker spaniel, mine absolutely loves chasing pigeons
Our Cockapoo loved chasing the magpies and seagulls. The magpies sit on the fence and taunt him into jumping up at them. They all seem to enjoy it.
I got shot in the head with a BB gun once, plastic pellet. I had a massive egg-shaped bruise as a result.
There are some strangely satisfying clips on you tube of airsoft warriors squeezing plastic bb’s out of egg shaped mounds on their foreheads
You should get Harry the Spider to come round with his BB firing Tiger tank!😀
There are some strangely satisfying clips on you tube of airsoft warriors squeezing plastic bb’s out of egg shaped mounds on their foreheads
Must not Google. Must. Not. Google.
That's a bawhair away from trypophobia.
Pigeons are cool, just think about your feeders and arrangement. My neighbour was always feeding the pigeons so we had more than our fare share. She’s recently moved. On the gruesome plus side we get sparrow hawks preying on them, it’s quite a sight to see the predators at work.
My mum has had to save a cat sliding down their conservatory roof
It's mew was too low?
Fake mews?
Wait till the parakeets arrive. These are acrobatic seed hoovers. I quite like them.
We have a separate needed at the back of the gardens that is for the pigeons. They can feed on it from the fence and just line up and take their turn. They also eat of the floor for spilled seed of the other feeder. Until Henry the cocker puppy starts to get interested.
MY parents had issues with squirrels eating all the bird food. They got a squirrel proof feeder, hung it on a wire from a high tree branch. the following week they found it at the other end of the garden busted open. I suspect corvids ( or they had a super squirrel)
For nearly every post on this thread, I'm a little sad there's no "...Parklife!" at the end.
The thing with magpies is they are nasty buggers but only for 3 months when eating chicks is easy.
Ive been very happy too see them shot in the past but this year I've been feeding them monkey nuts only the the magpies and the crows can open them and even opened the tub to help themselves. Because of this they left the nesting birds alone and we have more small birds including wren and goldfinch.
Then some arse down the road aprrently shot half of them because they chucked the moss out of his gutters.
If you want rid of pigeons get a falcon.
Make the feeders too ‘swing-y’ for a big pigeon.
Doesn’t work, they just see it as a bit more of a challenge. They go for the suet balls and the sunflower hearts, different types of feeder, and I’ve moved the feeders all over the tree to try to stop them hoovering up all the food, but there’s only certain branches to hang feeders on, and the pigeons will stretch out and almost overbalance while the feeder is swinging away from them, while they’re perched on another branch, and they’ll keep at it for ages.
Seems a bit uneco to be firing plastic pellets into the garden to sit until the end of time.
An upturned shopping basket would do the job!
And they only cost a quid at Tesco.
If you want rid of pigeons get a falcon.
Does a falcon specifically target pigeons? And what do you get when the falcons become a nuisance, it could escalate!
I’ve been shot in the bollocks with a bb gun, plastic ball though, so not all that painful.
Stung a bit.
Not sure we need to hear about your sexual activities.
If you go down the BB route, what happens if/when you get reported to the RSPCA?
Go on ebay and get a sekiden gun, load it with dried peas. Its not going to harm anything, its eco friendly and the other birds can eat the peas.
Or even a peashooter- channel your inner menace.
If you go down the BB route, what happens if/when you get reported to the RSPCA?
Never mind the RSPCA, if you have a particularly pissed off neighbour you might even get a visit from some nice policemen with guns of their own.
I’ll re-post this.
It doesn’t matter what you shoot at the it’s illegal under the general license.
You need a reason to need them away and proof you have tried non lethal methods before killing them
Firing plastic at them is illegal any way you look at it.
Breaks the wildlife and countryside act.
^ that.
Had a seagull chick marauding about the front garden earlier, not tempted to shoot it (I don't know that I've ever shot a gun tbh) but I was tempted to dispatch it with a size 10.
Didn't, obv, but still. Bastards. 🤣
it's not illegal
https://basc.org.uk/gl/england/
Pigeons can be shot for a number of reasons. Inc nesting in the wrong spot
also, you don't need to try and scare them first
Can I shoot or trap pest birds if I haven’t tried non-lethal methods?
Yes.The general licences require that, before and alongside their use, reasonable endeavours are made to achieve the purpose in question using lawful methods not covered by the licences, unless such endeavours would be impractical, without effect or disproportionate in the circumstances.
However, I don't think one of the reasons is 'depriving other prettier birds of a bit of scran'
now, if you were to change the OP and say you slipped in poo, or they nibbled your peas, go for it. Nothing stopping you.
Umm you do realise you highlighted the exact bit that says you have to make reasonable efforts before shooting?
Brads isn't a rookie, I'm sure he knows a hell of a lot more about the general licence and BASC interpretation than you or I.
As an air rifle holder I'm damn sure that would be a quick way to get my licence and guns taken off me, regardless of whether I used those or an airsoft gun. I also know that when shooting something you shoot to kill, instantly, or not at all, anything else is just cruelty and a wildlife crime.
reasonable....unless
there's a catch. You don't have to make reasonable efforts. I did highlight it
however, i will bow out. I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm just posting the actual
rules, rather than the guidance
You are not required to use alternative, lawful methods under condition 1(a) and 1(b) where the use of such methods would be impractical, without effect or disproportionate in the circumstances.
low powered airsoft spring pistol. like 30fps. You can see the bb fly. Get a small colt .38 auto replica. Harmless with such a short barrel. I harass the wood pigeons all the time who crap on the side of my parapet walk. Use biodegradable bbs.
Brads isn’t a rookie, I’m sure he knows a hell of a lot more about the general licence and BASC interpretation than you or I.
He might not be a rookie, and he can post as many times as he wants, but he clearly hasn't read the thread.
Oh I have
It’s illegal and you don’t have to use other methods , you just have to justify why you cannot use other methods and prove it
I know what I’m talking about , trust me.
This thread is about illegally harming wild birds.
What more do I need to know
Brads knows his stuff on this.
you when yo have someone who works in a feild, knows their stuff its usually w=orth listening to them
Supersoakwer or nerf you might get away with. BB gun? Nope.
honestly - I'm not trying to start an argument. And I'm sure Brads knows his stuff. Pretend I'm a naif, reading the licence
The GL I linked to says I can kill pigeons over health concerns
I should try non lethal methods first, unless impractical
So two questions
1) I've tried non lethal methods. Didn't work. So I can move onto shooting them (it does say 'before using this licence'). Why is that illegal?
2) I've not tried non-lethal methods as impractical; they eat my crops when I'm asleep. I've proof over weeks I've been asleep. So I can shoot them. What's illegal?
Honestly - I want to follow the law. The law to me says both examples are legal. You say not. Could you elaborate?
ETA - I'm not talking BB here. I'm talking air-rifle
Wait till the parakeets arrive. These are acrobatic seed hoovers. I quite like them
Occasionally have them turning up in my garden. Luckily its still occasional and only a handful since the localish winter roost site gets up to about 3-500 of them.
If they invited all their mates I would either have to abandon the bird feeder idea or try scaring the sods away. Its hard and costly enough feeding the starlings during the nesting season which seems to be dropping off now as the nibbles and fatballs seem to be lasting into a second day now.
He might not be a rookie, and he can post as many times as he wants, but he clearly hasn’t read the thread.
You’re the OP
What have you learned and what makes you think I haven’t read the thread?
You’re the one planning to illegally hurt wild birds , so have you changed your mind?
You haven't read it, have you.