My birds drive me crazy they just will not leave a border alone. I don't even take the sweeping brush in anymore, the plants just don't stand a chance in there. They have dug up Baby Begonias, my bulbs. the soil is all over the place. I love birds but these are evil dwellers. Thank God for my trusty Goldfinches. They say leave an area for the birds to clean themselves but they are pushing their luck. K
Is it Blackbirds doing this? Sometimes they are digging for food, slugs and snails. Do you put out food for them?
Hi Toni, Blackbirds do come in, so does an all brown (same size) bird come in. I don't put food out but may have to buy some nuts. I have fat balls I can put out this evening. Next door has loads of food, why not go there.............. Maybe they are jealous of my Goldfinches. Their feeder is just for them with black Niger seed. the hole is totally different too, just a slit. I have to be careful what I put out due to having had rats in my attic. I did try nuts before but the birds did'nt eat them. Thanks Toni K
Not all birds eat nuts but most rodents do. Blackbirds will eat seeds, grains and fruit wen they can't find bugs in the ground....with the common Grackle really liking peanuts or nuts of any kind. If you can identify the birds in your garden this site might help in finding the proper food for them instead of them digging up your garden. http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/helpingbirds/feeding/whatfood/
Over here it's starlings that cause damage to flower beds but I have feeders with sunflower hearts in them which seem to be keeping them occupied. Blackbirds also love the sunflower hearts so maybe you could try putting some out and see if it helps. Fingers crossed you find a solution before they totally destroy your beds.
Thanks Eileen and Toni! Its all worth a try. Its just that one bed they dig in, the other beds have trees in like Forsythia and red wood etc. They also don't seem interested in Banana plants...thank goodsness. Its also the first year they have done this kind of thing and I am here for four years now. K
