"Phil Bradby" wrote

I know it's a bit early to be thinking about winter, but for a while now
I've been planning on getting a bird table this year. I hadn't really
thought there could be much of a down-side to this until I was chatting
to a friend about it recently. She said that in her experience the birds
will scatter seed on the ground which attracts rats and mice. Plus the
amount of bird muck will be phenomenal.

Are these really going to be a big problem? I mean, lots of people keep
bird tables despite these issues... Plus there are a few cats in the
neighbourhood which I don't imagine will let a rat colony flourish.

Does the type of seed you put down make a difference? Or whether the
table is on paving or a lawn? Thanks for any thoughts.

The worst problem I have is with the unused but dropped seed germinating in
the borders = constant weeding.
Better if sited on paving so you can just sweep it up, but then you have the
problem of bird droppings soiling the paving !!
You pays your money ......
--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK