Cats

[panda123]

The window in my shed decided to fall out, leaving it open to inquisitive robins. i watched them over the next few weeks build their nest, sit on their eggs, then constantly fly back and forth to feed their growing chicks.
to help them along i'd dig part of the garden over nearly everyday. as i dug the robins were virtually under my fork. then one day nothing. after a few hours i ventured into the shed, to my horror a cat had found its way in and mutilated four chicks :mad:
sad wasnt the word. can anyone tell me if these electronic cat scarers actually work???
i'd hate the same thing to happen again.
also i've not seen the adult robins since that day. is this common and will they return?

[Shamal]

Great shame about the Robins, I suspect they have found somewhere else quite close by to try again.

I can't comment on the catwatch device, but the similar version for foxes (foxwatch) definitely works. My father has 3 of these guarding his precious garden, and the local fox family have kept well clear, where-as they were causing mayhem before they were installed.

The catwatch device does have a good reputation but i think positioning is important as they have an arc of effectiveness.

[Emma]

Sorry to hear about your robins, panda.

I know several people who have tried cat alarms and none of them have had anything good to say about them. There is a more expensive one endorsed by the RSPB (the Catwatch one): two people I know have tried it - both people said it didn't work for them:(

[Jenny]

Panda, sorry to hear about your robins. I've had a Catwatch for years and have certain received some benefit from it, as have friends. However, they have a limited arc of covereage (I think it's 120 degrees) and it's important to have them at cat height. If you have an undulating garden or loads of flowerbeds/shrubs, you need more coverage - as part of mine falls away at an angle of 1 in 2, this is not helpful:( ! Moving them around a bit helps, too - cats will try and find away around them. I use mine to protect part of my lawn where my feeders and ground table is located.

Don't feel that it would help in the circumstances you describe unless you could site it covering all points where the cat could reach the nest. Other downsides - the stalks that you put in the ground aren't too strong and are very susceptible to flying footballs, charging dogs and children, plus the occasional cow, sheep or red deer! Wall mounting whilst less flexible, resolves all of the former bar the footballs! Also, it don't work on deaf cats, so if you've got them around - often white moggies as opposed to pure breds are white - it won't help! Another downside is the cost. CJ had an offer but the usual price of £54.95 is steep, although in fairness the one I have is now over 12 years old (it's partner succumbed to the football and charging dalmation (not mine!!) and still operational, so they do offer value for money and you can get spare stalks from them - the company are very helpful. Something else to bear in mind is that (at least as at Jan this year) you cannot use rechargeable batteries in them.

I've written a lot of downsides, but I've not been disappointed in my purchase. If I could afford it, I'd get two more - desperately needed here. I just wouldn't want you to get one if it didn't suit your needs. I suggest that you contact the company (Concept Research - CJ may be able to help you but you should find them on search engines) direct to answer queries; I've always found them helpful.

Sorry for overlong response but although I quite like cats (adopted two strays over the years), they can be an awful nuisance.

[Kerry L]

Hi Panda
The RSPB news this month contains a message from someone who purchased a CATWatch deterrent and has found this to be a great success. Although we are plagued by cats, I don't think it would do in our garden, too sloping and I would have to spend a fortune to set them up. 2 nights ago I thought the hedgehog was outside the window - it was a cat that I didn't recognize and it was about to spray my garden to mark it's territory. It didn't notice me lean out and empty my glass of water (with some ice cubes) right on it's head. I have no idea where it came from, but it sure went away very quickly. I haven't seen it since!
Regards Kerry

[Jenny]

Well done Kerry - there is nothing quite so satisfying as surprising a marauding cat - especially when it's a killer! We're got new folks just down the road and they won't keep their cat in! It's had two starlings and three robins I know off but it was a sitting duck yesterday - too busy sitting on wall and taunting dog to notice I was behind shed with lethal weapon - the hose! A bull's eye! New folks evidently told about incident because when she came down later to Co-op (now doing part-time job - partly to pay for bird food:D , she had a go at me! Fortunately, she'd also jumped the queue and was abusive about that and manager was on hand! Have definitely made an enemy there but she has alienated herself with more locals than I have over queue jumping! The lovely old lady next to her - with two cats - all with bells and not let out at key times - is very unhappy with them - noisy young adults and their cats messing up her newly replanted garden. Unfortunately the rich Scots and Gaelic used to berate them would not be appreciated here, and frankly, doubt if the new lot understood it! They'll be moving on within a year - their Scottish island idyll doesn't have the conveniences they expect!

That's a dreadful rant - but truly, whilst nowt like your heat, the temperatures up here and we have hit 29C and no wind, are definitely not normal and tempers are fraying - especially amongst visitors - don't understand this as most of them come from warmer climes (and usually boast about the lousy Scottish weather) - now they're complaining! HELP!

[Kerry L]

Hi Jenny - it's almost like us country bumpkins (He man is a townie, but has adapted quite well) - people move in and don't like the foxes howling or hedgehogs snuffling - too scary, and worst of all - cockerels crowing! In any case the cat wasn't in her own garden, so it could have been trampled by Bambi - water doesn't harm them, just puts them off (unless they are Turkish Van cats and they like water!). What's a hose?:rolleyes: Can't use them here. But we can use a hose to fill containers and watering cans. On the other hand, if we wanted to clean the patio, we could use a power hose! (Rules - hah!) The last time He man tried to squirt a cat with a hose, he went pelting down the garden with the hose on - and slid on the wet grass. He missed the cat, but got himself really drenched and gave himself a wedgie - not repeated error since. Thank goodness the children take after me! By the way, can you let me know some Gaelic to address the straying cats and pigeons? I only know the word for earwig (Scottish aquaintance years ago and horse riding buddy) - haven't a clue as to spelling, but it sounds rude enough!
Temperatures here have been over 35 - no idea as to the Fahrenheit, but it is blooming hot - 29 sounds so much cooler!
I like cats, but having them means extra responsibilities. People don't want their gardens territorially marked or calling cards left. The number of times a neighbours cat has dug my plants out before settling for the hole it dug first drives me to distraction (among other things). Some people have cats for the sake of it, thinking all they have to do is install a cat flap and feed them. One responsible cat owner fitted a type of electric fence around her property. The cat was fitted with a collar that triggered the fence if it tried to cross the boundary. This way the owner was satisfied that the cat was safe in her garden and not upsetting the neighbours. After a few times, the cat learnt to stay within the fences. She didn't mention wildlife, though, but it's a start.
Monty (brothers cat living with my old fogies) has never been interested in other wildlife - the birds could land on her head and she wouldn't budge! Her sister was Rommel, we were told they were toms, and brother is avid war gamer and historian (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang springs to mind, although he doesn't dress for the part!) - she had to be kept in to stop chasing birds, and my mum used to try and get her indoors in the early hours in her jammies. This wasn't much fun for her as the Police helicopter often used to fly over her house with it's search light on! But by keeping the cats in at the key times, it certainly reduced the number of catches, there were only a few in her lifetime, but fortunately an awful lot of misses. Also a watchful eye did wonders when the cats were outside, mum was able to chase the birds away before the wiggling bottom launched the furball at it's target! The cats were never outside when the folks left the house. Sadly, people nowadays are irresponsible and selfish, so a little rude awakening sometimes has to be on the cards. Here's hoping your Newbie is gone for Christmas.;)
Oops, its late, workmen here early and I have spotted lightning :eek: !
Take care, Kerry

[Pam]

I have just got a 'cat scarer', so will see how good it is!

[Jenny]

Pam, hope it works for you. Do please remember to move it around every so often and watch out for white cats - often deaf! Also, cats have very different reactions to them - don't think it's not working (unless you suspect battery run out or power cut, depending on what system you've got!) - if a cat goes right up to it - it'll soon take off!

[Pam]

Thanks Jenny, will do!:D

[OlgaMB]

The window in my shed decided to fall out, leaving it open to inquisitive robins. i watched them over the next few weeks build their nest, sit on their eggs, then constantly fly back and forth to feed their growing chicks.
to help them along i'd dig part of the garden over nearly everyday. as i dug the robins were virtually under my fork. then one day nothing. after a few hours i ventured into the shed, to my horror a cat had found its way in and mutilated four chicks :mad:
sad wasnt the word. can anyone tell me if these electronic cat scarers actually work???
i'd hate the same thing to happen again.
also i've not seen the adult robins since that day. is this common and will they return?

------------------------------
Panda123

So Sorry to hear about the Robins, Nasty CATS,

Anyway,

The Animal Scarer's don't work for us they only Scare the Delivery Driver's off as they are Very Sensitive to them, when they come to the door they say what's that SQUEALING? and we say what SQUEALING!!!!,

We feed the Birds in our Garden and Our Neighbours Cat's has had Numerous Birds, We have Bought a Water Gun which 2.5 litres of water and when we see the Cats in the Garden we Shoot Water at it to try and Deter it from coming into the Garden and we also live next door to my Husbands Sister and she sends her Dogs out to shoo it away,

So Happy Bird Watching in the Future as they are Beautiful to watch.

OlgaMB

[Pam]

I have just got a 'cat scarer', so will see how good it is!


Not a cat in sight since we got it at the beginning of August!:D

[Emma]

Not a cat in sight since we got it at the beginning of August!:D
That good to hear, Pam. What scarer do you have? :)

[Jenny]

That's great news, Pam. Don't get complacent though, like I did - move the scarer around every so often- that deters even the most determined feline!

[Jabber]

These look good http://www.trapman.co.uk/spray-away.htm cats hate water