Nesting blackbirds v cats

[Barmaid]

On Tuesday I noticed a pair of blackbirds nesting in the climber above the patio doors.

Now apart from making sure the FH doesn't start hacking it back on one of his "pruning days", what concerns me is that the little fledglings are going to fall out of the nest into the salivating jaws of four hungry felines. (My cats are properly fed, but they think they are hungry and hey, if there is a baby bird right outside the patio doors they are going to think it's a buffet).

Any ideas what I can do to help? I was going to get the FH to put a ledge up underneath the nest, but thought that Blodwyn drilling holes might upset them.

[Old_Geezer]

Nature does what nature does. Despite you best efforts they'll either make it or not.

[Barmaid]

Yeah, I know that OldGeezer, I am just living in the vain hope that I might be able to lend a helping hand.

[LoftyLottie]

We have a blackbird building a bird version of buckingham palace really near our conservatory door, in the hedge. Our cat is rather frightened of birds actually, if they grumble at her she runs indoors. But I know how you, feel - I am worried for the fledglings. I don't think there is much you can do except keep the cats in when the fledgelings first emerge (which is what we do)

[LoftyLottie]

I definitely lend helping hands when I can Barmaid, without actually intervening. Alice Cat spends a lot of the summer indoors during the day, especially first thing in the morning and at dusk when they are more likely to catch birds. But she actually is more interested in mice and shrews who she brings in to play with unharmed and then lets go when she gets bored!!

[tamborine]

tie this round their necks

http://images.wikia.c...1/1a/Liberty_Bell.jpg

[redman41]

Nature can be cruel sometimes as cats have a natural hunting instinct. It will be hard to monitor the situation all the time. Hope the fledglings all survive !

[tamborine]

erect a slip shelf to stop cats climbing to nest or keep cats indoors till fledglings fly off.

[Barmaid]

I think this is a bit "Buck House" Loftie. MrBB was sitting on next door's chimney Tuesday afternoon singing his heart out. I am sure he was saying "our des res is a nicer des res than yours" to all the others. I

lol Tambo. That might even stop ASBO.

I don't know why they bother with the garden birds. In about 6 weeks time, you won't be able to move in front of the house for goslings. Mind you, the adult geese run a "nursery" type system and if a cat gets within 200 yards they go spare. The coots on the other hand are just stupid and almost ask to get caught.

Oh and Mr Robin is back - he was dead cute and really friendly. Although I was a bit miffed when Fatboy caught their only baby.

[LoftyLottie]

I think my cat is used to her summertime curfews. Sleep all day and out for an hour when the birds have gone to bed.

[ladybirder]

That's exactly what I do with mine LL. She's used to it and it's not a problem. She comes when I call her.