Ok so this is the second time within a week I have seen this happen and It is flipping me out.
My backyard has been overcome with about 500 or more Black birds.
All over the place.
They are loud and nasty, and very scary especially when they start flying over my head.
I tried to shoo them away make loud sounds and such. I think it kind of worked for some. But the other half stuck around still.
They were in the back & front yards Of not only my home but our neighbors home who is always vacant. And even my other neighbors cat was overwhelmed by all of it, lol
I don't know what to do to keep this from happening again?
It seems to happen at the same time too.
The first time that I was aware of this happening was at the 5PM hour or so.
I don't own a B.B Gun. And even if I did, I don't think we are allowed to use it.
So is there any kind of bird deterrant that I can use?
I don't mind a handful of birds here and there.
But when my back yard starts to look like something out of an "Alfred Hitchcock" movie, it is time to do something.
Any helpful hints will be appreciated.
Sorry you are having to deal with this!!
Motion activated or timed sprinklers can help keep them away.
That is what is used on the docks where I live (for the sea lions and the various birds that hang out on the docks and make a mess and block areas so people cannot get to their boats).
Mind you, the sea lions don't seem to mind the spraying water that much, but the birds take off.
Now, I am in the mind set that the sea life should be able to do whatever they want and man should learn to co-exist...but I am obviously in the minority with this thinking, lol.
I would imagine in your situation, there is a HUGE difference to what is going on.
Some people also use motion activated decoy birds, supposedly to scare the birds (the eyes flash and they make noise, ), but I have seen birds learn very quickly to not be scared of these.
Crows will quickly learn that anything motion-activated is just a toy, and they will soon come back so I suggest you don't waste your money on them for crows (all other birds are probably not bright enough to figure it out). You could be lucky and have dumb crows but around here we had problems with them for a couple years and they had no overall good advice.
They will stick around as long as there is something to eat, so winter is coming and they are migrating south. Soon they will have picked all the 'good' stuff from your lawn (good is relative as I'm not a crow) and will disappear. In the meantime... curl up with a good book or the TV and try not to worry about it. They didn't seem to damage anything substantial around here so you shouldn't notice a problem in your garden.
Good luck, as I know it seems a bit freaky but they really are completely benign and will soon be gone.
(10-13-2009 07:18 PM)Ziggy Wrote: [ -> ]Crows will quickly learn that anything motion-activated is just a toy, and they will soon come back so I suggest you don't waste your money on them for crows (all other birds are probably not bright enough to figure it out). You could be lucky and have dumb crows but around here we had problems with them for a couple years and they had no overall good advice.
They will stick around as long as there is something to eat, so winter is coming and they are migrating south. Soon they will have picked all the 'good' stuff from your lawn (good is relative as I'm not a crow) and will disappear. In the meantime... curl up with a good book or the TV and try not to worry about it. They didn't seem to damage anything substantial around here so you shouldn't notice a problem in your garden.
Good luck, as I know it seems a bit freaky but they really are completely benign and will soon be gone.
Thanks for this GOOD INFO Ziggy, That is a BIG relief. Just out of curiosity do you happen to know how long this migration lasts? Cause you are so right it is very freaky indeed!
Thanks Again,
I will try to ignore it, (shudder)
BTW FYI we have NO garden. There are no green thumbs here. All we have is loads of fair to midlen grass, lol. Lots of weeds lol, We did have plans of having prof lawn care this year, but alas with hubby out of work.
It is what it is. (sigh)
Meanwhile, you can have fun telling the people about the murder in your back yard.... a murder of crows, that is!! I mean, really! -- how often in this lifetime do people get to use that expression!
LOL PG!!
Well, motion activated and timed sprinklers worked great for my parents! They were very lucky...from what I just read, I guess they don't work for others quite as well.
How frustrating!
My parents also used wind chimes and bird netting and were careful not to plant trees and plants that have a tendency to attract birds.
One of my DH's best friend use to hose off the sides of his home, greenhouse and garages because the Swallow nests that would overrun his property. He got so tired of the non-stop work that he finally gave in and enjoyed the birds! It was a sight to see though...I had never seen so many nests in my life!
Yup, you are on a migration route, just as the park I live in is. We are over run with hundreds of black birds. Eventually they just fly further south. Until then, it looks like a scene from "The Birds" every time you go outside.
How long? It depends upon how much food you have hidden in your lawn
Sorry to be so unhelpful, but that's about as good as it gets. I can't remember what crows eat but eventually they'll run out and will move on. It is also possible that they are eating from a field nearby (which would explain why they disappear during the day, but come to your backyard to sleep) in which case it could be longer than you want. Still, the cold weather is encroaching so they'll have to leave soon.
P.S. Love the play on words, PG!
Funny PG!
Actually, I was going to advise not watching Hitchcock's The Birds for a while.
Large flocks of birds, even blackbirds or even grackles, kind of freak me out.
(10-13-2009 08:34 PM)PrairieGirl Wrote: [ -> ]Meanwhile, you can have fun telling the people about the murder in your back yard.... a murder of crows, that is!! I mean, really! -- how often in this lifetime do people get to use that expression!
LOL What a great BRAIN you have BD Twin, lol Thanks for the smiles PG
As for the birds? I think it is all over. I did not hear them yesterday.
So either we ran out of natural yard food, or it got too cold for them, or both. But thankfully, they are GONE GONE GONE!
Thanks for all the great comments
And have a nice Sunday, TW