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[Taz2]

Some of the patients at HART Wildlife Hospital https://www.facebook.com/media/set/'set=a.381421291913553.93543.116648618390823&type=1

Taz x

[viv]

Is there any way of keeping rooks out of the garden. I have had to stop opening the window at night as by 5am its like a scene from Hitchcocks "The Birds". The noise is unreal and they are now becoming a real nuisance.

Honeyb
x

[Taz2]

I haven't heard of rooks being a pest in gardens here Honeyb. Do you live in an isolated spot? Try googling it putting in where you live to see if anyone else has tried anything.


Taz x

[CLKD]

We have a rookery quite close and the noise for 3 weeks has been amazing.  Their usual woodland has been cleared for housing 

[Taz2]

It's so sad when they are turfed out of their normal place. I know they are noisy but they are very clever birds and the way they run their housing estate is marvellous. I adore the way they talk to each other when they are flying over and you can set your watch by them. Thousands go over here at 6.10 a.m this time of year and return at 8.00 p.m. chatting about their day as they go. Very social birds.

Taz x

[oldsheep]

thanks Taz for the bird info. They are not solitary (pity) so they must indeed be rooks. Everyone round here calls them crows, unless they are at the Tower of London in which case they are ravens.
These are big, raucous and numerous. I must pay more attention to the beak colour next time.
They do seem bright, but I find them quite sinister when they sit en masse on the heath.

And yes - the couple must be mistle thrushes! I'll email my neighbour (this is how we communicate in London: sigh) as he asked what they were as well. I'm sure they have a nest in our garden's smallest tree.
My parakeet friends are back too    Wish I knew more about birds as I sit up here in the top flat and can hear loads of birdsong all day.

PS a neighbour has a quite realistic looking, fake owl sitting high in a tree in front of her flat to deter pigeons. Don't know if that would work for rooks?!! maybe not.

[Christine662]

HELP!!!!

I have just saved a young starling from 3 magpies...OMG they were pecking it like crazy the noise was awful...chased them off & have picked up the starling & put it in a basket in the garage. Couldnt leave it out there to be eaten alive...I have never touched a bird before, but instinct kicked in I think..protect it!!

BUT am now scared if it comes too...will its mum still be around. It let me pick it up fine, no damage i could see (just ran out there in time i think). Its eyes are open & breathing fast.

Dont want it to die by magpies mobbing, but am scared the mum wont be there if I see if it will fly in hour or so.

Stumpy xx

[oldsheep]

Hope its mum will return Stumpy x
Magpies shouldn't attack you? I don't like them - we have 100s round here, all aggressive to others birds' young.
Hope Taz or someone else knowledgeable is on here soon or can you ring the RSPB or local wildlife rescue to ask for help?

[Christine662]

Hi Oldsheep

I dont think they will attacke me, but just incase (dont laugh) I have a broom in my hand!!! they are scary!!

There is a magpie nest in a oak tree at the bottom of our garden...seems to be loads of maggies about this yr.

I will let the little bird relax for half hour then see if it will fly.

[CLKD]

Can you leave the 'shed' door open so that the parent can hear it?

Flies 

[Christine662]

I have taken the basket out onto the lawn & watched from the window...its flown off, looked fine!!!

I hate magpies!!!

[viv]

I am not that isolated although the village I live in is next to a country park and there are a lot of very tall trees that are very near so I can only think they roost nearby and we are handy for food.

They are currently the bane of my life. Even the dog had started to chase them off and then she looks round for my approval. Its quite funny to watch.

Honeyb
x

[Christine662]

Hi HB

Drives my dog mad...& me at430am when they start to wake!!!! not a pretty sound.

[san]

[CLKD]

Caption anyone 

rooks = rookery [communal]
crows = solitary [usually]
jackdaws = comical