MagicMum.com

An Irish forum for mums and mums-to-be - all you need to know about parenting and a lot, lot more!
It is currently Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:12 am

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:29 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Not sure if this should be posted in Gardening, House and Home or RANT!!! but bear with me!

Every single morning for the past 3 weeks I have been rudely awoken as soon as daylight breaks through, by the sound of grey crows tapping their great big ugly grey beaks on my front door, glass at the side of front door, front room windows and one upstairs bedroom window - they tap tap tap until I wake, make a nice caw caw sound, fly off by the time I get to the window in qn to shoo them and start up again a few mins later in a different location!

I've gone past enough! I have tried a few things suggested to me but nothing is working. The only thing I haven't tried is shooting them as I don't have a gun! I've left out food with a nasty treat in it - they wouldn't eat it. So I tried meat with a different treat - won't eat that! I've hung plastic bags out of windows........they see it as a challenge to pull it off! Aaaaagh!!!! The only thing that seemed to worked one morning was if I left the lights on in every room but I cannot afford to be doing that.

Has anyone got any suggestions, ideas or the loan of a machine gun?!

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:38 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Posts: 13087
Location: Alba Gu Brath
Bloody hell, it's like something from a horror movie.
How about borrowing a bird of prey from somewhere to scare them off.

_________________
ImageImageImageImage
Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun! 


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:49 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Louii, I am sick to death of it. Luckily I am out all day but my parents are always around and have been going over to see what they can do but there is no sign of them during the day. One sometimes reappears in the evening but I am quicker to rattle the window at them. I've been told it's something to do with the way the light is falling and reflecting on the windows. But I am 4 years in this house now and its never happened before.

What would I do with a bird of prey....... :stupid: ......... would he just be sitting outside on a tree branch and do what he does when the crows come near?

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:54 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:18 am
Posts: 5307
Are they tryna pic out something loose that they can use for nests, it's that time of year, put an ole pillow out with the stuffing available to them and see if they go for that.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:58 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 5:54 am
Posts: 3874
Location: Cork
http://www.crowbegone.com/

I have the cd - I ordered it a couple of years ago when crows were taptapping on our roof every morning at dawn. But I actually rectified the problem before the cd arrived in the post - a man up a ladder cleaning the gutters found a soft spot under the eaves where the crows were busy building a nest (he blocked it up) and problem solved.

You're welcome to borrow the cd! PM me.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:17 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Posts: 13087
Location: Alba Gu Brath
I knows birds of prey are used to scare pigeons away not sure what they actually do.
Never seen a grey crow.
Honestly I'm having nightmares just thinking about the feckers.

_________________
ImageImageImageImage
Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun! 


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:18 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:50 pm
Posts: 8311
Location: A long way from home...
Louii wrote:
I knows birds of prey are used to scare pigeons away not sure what they actually do.
Never seen a grey crow.
Honestly I'm having nightmares just thinking about the feckers.


jackdaws, maybe?

_________________
Two lovely girls aged 3 and 1


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:34 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Thanks for the replies everyone!

Frieda - there is nothing they can pick at - they seem to peck the glass a few times and fly away. It has to be their reflection and they are either fighting the "other bird" or like what they see!

Mi - I have had a noise in the attic for ages (but its stopped at the min) where it sounds like something is fluttering against the eaves, must get someone to give it a thorough investigation! Thanks for the offer of the cd - I may be back to you!

Louii / Neena - as far as I know, it is definitley a grey crow. I've just googled some images and the jackdaw is much blacker, this fecking thing is like a blown up crow and a dirty grey/black colour. The screen full of images of them made me shudder!!!

This is like my new resident...


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:47 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:59 pm
Posts: 2844
Yep they are greycrows or magpies. What they are doing is eating spiders and other creepy crawlies from corners, nooks and crannies! I first seen it one day while I was at home on maternity leave. I watched them do it on a house across the way from me. Then a few days later I seen a spider had built a cocoon in the corner of my widow and low and behold the magpie came and picked it away. Spiders or magpies . . . . .I know which I'd choose! Give me magpies any day. Hate, hate, hate spiders!

HTH


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:48 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:50 pm
Posts: 8311
Location: A long way from home...
have just spent an enlightening few minutes on google images... never knew grey crows existed, and now i do!

magpies are something completely different though.

_________________
Two lovely girls aged 3 and 1


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:50 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:54 pm
Posts: 926
Think you're sposed to hang a dead crow up to warn them off. Or a scarecrow?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:19 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2004 3:36 pm
Posts: 21864
I just googled it for you and found this link http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forum ... house.html

Unpleasant smells will deter them seemingly:
Quote:
I have the same problem with a crow attacking my windows and my cars rear windscreen. The rubber seal at the bottom of my house windows and the rubber of the windscreen wiper have both been damaged.

I today spoke to a fab lady at my local RSPB who said this is territorial behaviour and the crow seeing its` reflection in the glass thinks it`s another crow and attacks it. When this `other` crow doesn`t back off, crow numero uno gets frustrated and displacement behaviour occurs whereby the crow attacks the rubber/wood, which obviously is more damageable than the glass. I can only assume that the crow gets more relief from this.

Anyway, the RSPB say that crows have a highly attuned sense of smell - way more sensitive than ours - bear in mind they are carrion feeders - and that applying a nasty smell to the area being attacked can stop this behavior. Sometimes it will just stop without treatment.

The lady recommended anything containing the compound Aluminium Ammonium Sulphate. She stated it`s distasteful to the crow but not toxic.

I googled this and it`s in B+Q`s animal repellent, also `Scoot`, `Curb`, `Stay Off`, Johnsons `Clear Off` etc. So good luck - I`ll be trying it tomorrow - I was getting to the point where I felt like Inspector Clouseau with my crow `Cato` lurking round every corner waiting to attack my car !!


and this option also:

Quote:
well I couldn`t find it in my town but the woman said anything smelling unpleasant might also work, so I used `Vicks` the nasal rub stuff !! Bizaare yes, but it worked. I smeared it on the window seals at the bottom of the windows and along the window sills. Looked awful but worked. This year as the light mornings arrived, I did it again and I had one incident then nothing more. I guess he`s moved south to harrass you as my windows smelt too much!! (I have since washed them, honest!)
Bear in mind, you`ll still see a reflection even if blinds are down so long as it`s daylight - maybe more so than if not down. Anyway, good luck - smelly worked for me and saved my windows (and my car which I had put a frost cover on but one corner of which blew down and he then could see himself and started shredding it - smeared it with `Vicks` and he stopped).


HTH!!

_________________
Mum to 2 wonderful children - dotey DS (9) darling DD (7)
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:43 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:11 pm
Posts: 5943
They're called hooded crows, and all crows do this at windows - it's usually because they see their own reflection and want to fight with it. I've heard that hanging CD's in the windows helps to frighten them off. Or sticking big eye-shaped paper cut outs (get the kids to make them) on the inside of the windows will deter them.

Failing that - hire someone to shoot them. i'm pretty sure you can get pest control with a .22 rifle to shoot them but it has to be done at specific times of the day by someone who knows what they're doing. You can't just shoot a rifle in a built up area.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:25 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:15 am
Posts: 6166
Had this problem - I just stuck a poster in the window for a while. Solved the problem.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:02 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:22 pm
Posts: 10690
Yes they are hooded crow - found in W Scotland and Ireland and for some reason rarely in E Scotland, Wales and England (but also found in the Isle of Man)

They are attracted to shiny things, which is why they are going for the window or it's because they see themselves and are tring to fend off the other bird (being territorial birds) putting up a poster over the window should stop it.

Failing that I think there is a spray you can get (if it's spiders they are after)

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:00 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Women...........you are a mind of information!!!! Not sure why I am surprised as I should know this! I am fascinated by the vicks theory, I think I am going to try that firstly and see. If that doesn't work, I shall work my way through the list. The last thing I want is for them to get cosy (may be too late already) and start coming back every year!

I'm also relieved to know there are more out there with the same problem!!

I shall report back!!

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:09 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Posts: 13087
Location: Alba Gu Brath
Finder wrote:
for some reason rarely in E Scotland,

Thank feck, I'm safe so.

_________________
ImageImageImageImage
Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun! 


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:18 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Louii wrote:
Finder wrote:
for some reason rarely in E Scotland,

Thank feck, I'm safe so.

Fancy a tennant??!!

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:28 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:26 pm
Posts: 37
I've had the same problem at this time of year now for 2 years. Before starting on our house they were doing the same to our neighbours house and have actually scratched the glass on nearly all their windows. (its holiday home so no-one there to shoo them away)

I was advised to get long pieces of fishing gut and tie both ends to weights, put one end in gutter and the other hanging near ground. Do this all around the windows. The theory is that if their wings touch something, they take fright and leave. I havent tried this myself as I have a toddler running about and would be too scared to have these hanging from gutters.

Anyway the buggers started here on monday morning there about 6 am at kitchen window so I got it away and the bugger sat on the back hedge watchign me as if to say - go back to bed to i finish woman! So mon evening I put a duck with one of them sensors that quack when triggered on kitchen window sill. Tues morning i heard one loud bank of the crow at the window and then duck made his wee noise and off went the crow. This morn (wed) not a peep out of the crow so i'm gonna stock up on these wee garden ornaments. Its worth a try.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:37 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:53 pm
Posts: 1130
Taurus - I feel your pain, we had a fecker like that doing the very same at our house for months on end and I tried ALL OF THE ABOVE and nothing worked but finally (and I know I will be slated for this ) but the only thing that worked was poison, we got it, put it on buttered bread, he ate it and died - end of ! I was at the end of my tether and posted here among other places for answers but he came back again and again and again
he has the glass of the window he preferred which is a spare room destroyed
HTH
mrsNon

_________________
url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Image
[/url]

[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
Image
[/url]


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:49 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Mrs Non - I certainly won't slate ya for using poison (see my first post!!). Do you think it was the buttered bread that made them eat? Mine don't seem to want to touch any food I leave out that I have "seasoned".

DL Mum...do you have a link or where could I buy these ducks? I'd rather try the easy options first but I have made a list of all your suggestions girls and thanks so much for taking the time to post your stories. It's some comfort to know that they are more than me with this problem - it's honestly so wearing every morning being woken up by them.

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 4:01 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:26 pm
Posts: 37
taurus - i dont have a link - it was just one i had from last year i got in a garden centre. I am thinking it was the noise the wee duck made and not its appearance that scared it away, as it had to sit on the same windowsill as the duck to bang the window so it was not that that scared it.

I was in Heatons last week and they had a fortune of wee ornaments in the garden section that whoot whoo when you walk past so it's those that I intend to get more of.

Them crows are a nightmare all right - let me know if you find a more permanent solution (beside shooting) in case they get wise to my duck :angry:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:35 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:39 am
Posts: 1770
Ooh must have a look in heatons although the one here in castlebar isn't the biggest! I arrived home to see one sitting pretty in my garden and the other quite comfy on a window sill. I yelled out the window and they flew up into a tree and I'm not too ashamed to say I picked up a stone and lobbed it in their direction...............crazy mad woman lives here tactic could work???!!!!!!

I have taped about 6 sheets of white paper onto the inside of the bedroom window they favour so will see if there is any difference in the morn!

_________________
Image


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:51 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:24 pm
Posts: 2760
DH came up with a solution here (but it is a bit far fetched). He said put up four posts in the garden and fence it with chicken wire. Put threads accross the top of it and drop bits of sausage on the ground in the middle. Crow flies in and can't get back out because wings are too wide. He says he has done it before and it works. When I asked how he proposed you then get rid of the crow he ignored me (so he mustn't have an answer :lookround: ). Or if you could get someone to shoot one crow and hang it up in your garden for a few days it would be enough to get rid of them. But it has to be one of the crows from there because one crow knows another (the dirty yokes). My solutions are not good I'm afraid!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group