Have fed the birds for years and only recently has it really taken off with new species such as Green and Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and up to 75 post breeding House Sparrows.
Since this large influx I have struggled with firstly cats and recently Sparrowhawks which were,nt a problem to start with but both male and female birds come through at least 4 times a day that we see snatching the Sparrows from the top of the Hawthorns.
Its got to a stage where the disadvantages outway the advantages and with the birds not needing the food at this time of year the main object was for my pleasure only.
Lynda had got so she was keeping the curtains part on so as not to see the carnage and I thought it unfair to encourage the birds to sit as easy prey for the Sprawk so the feeders have gone and after 2 evenings back aching work the Hawthorns are no more.
I still scatter seed at the back of the house on the garage top which is in a pretty safe sheltered area from raptors but it seems strange not looking out of my front window and not seeing birds.
BS