Bird nuisance
Many people like urban wildlife and enjoy feeding birds. However, this can cause problems, especially if it leads to overfeeding.
Careless or excessive bird feeding can:
- Cause noise and fouling problems for neighbours if larger birds such as crows, pigeons and gulls are attracted to the area
- Attract mice, rats and other pests
- Put off the smaller birds from feeding
How to avoid excessive feeding
- Use a feeder and position it so rats, mice and larger birds cannot reach it
- Use a catch tray on your bird feeder so food does not fall onto the ground where rats and mice can get it
- Do not put too much food on bird tables
- Do not put unwanted food waste in your garden as birds are unlikely to eat it, but rats and mice will
If your neighbour is a tenant, such behaviour, especially on communal grounds, may be covered by tenancy rules. You should contact you housing officer or landlord.