difficult one. we ve got blackbirds nesting very close to the kitchen window and are very keen to feed them. every time i put meal worms out the local starling gang chase the black birds and eat the lot. i ve nothing against starlings but am just keen for the blackbirds to nest successfully. any ideas ?
In reply to mike123: Starlings are in the unenviable position of being one of the birds whose conservation status shows it to be in sharp decline. I do all I can to help our local starlings as they really need it. However if you have a hedge then put mealworms under the hedge, starlings dont like feeding in closed spaces like that (ours avoid the hedge completely). Hope both have successful broods.
In reply to Turdus torquatus: I think they do. Our cousins are known for their vociferous nature. Other species, not just birds, take note of it. We're not much better are we?
It's often forgotten that starlings give us,arguably, our finest wildlife spectical - the mass gatherings prior to roosting in winter.
To the OP put the feed in a hedge - blackbirds like it in there starlings don't.
Moley19 May 2012
In reply to mike123:
Your blackbirds should manage to find enough natural food on their own, so I wouldn't think supplementary feeding is essential anyway. More important to make sure you keep the local cat population away, and likewise discourage any magpies, jays etc. from coming too close - easier said than done at 5.00am!
No idea how to keep the starlings at bay though.
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