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Old 22-05-2011, 11:37 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Bob Hobden Bob Hobden is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,056
Default keeping cats away from birds' nest?

"Ian B" wrote

Stephen wrote:
Hello,

We have some sparrows nesting in our hedge and all the local cats are
trying to reach it. Is there a way to keep the cats away? I searched
on google and found a product called "silent roar" recommended. I
phoned the garden centre to enquire if they stocked it and the
gentleman said they stocked that and pepper powders but he said many
people bring them back, claiming they don't work and more or less said
that I shouldn't waste my money on them.

I silent roar any good in your experience? What about the pepper one?
Is it just cooking pepper? Do any of these work in your experience?

Does anyone know how long sparrows nest for?


I hate to say this but, as a cat owner, if it can be reached, it will be
reached. If it is within reach of cats, unless you can arrange a physical
barrier of some kind, they'll get it.

My cat, Cassie, is a typical cat. She's an absolute psychopath. Once she
locates a nest, she will spend hour after hour trying to get to it,
remorselessly. I'm worried right now because there are robins nesting in
the berberis hedge that borders the park next door and it looks like it
might be a vulnerable spot. Cats are apparently the only creature on Earth
that are invulnerable to berberis spines.

I always think of it as Darwin's Theory at work, if birds build their nests
in places hunters can reach then they don't get to breed successfully.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK