Fwd: Satin Bower Birds

[Philip Veerman <>]

It has been so nice to have these birds become a feature of suburbia over the past many years and the presence history she describes is typical of their increase, locally. Yes they can be destructive but that story seems extreme. I suggest that they should disappear for the summer, in a few months (this is still mid winter).

 

I am not surprised that the deterrents tried don’t work. I would also suggest she not bother to try plaster owls etc, I suggest they are a waste of money. Bird netting is available to cover plants but it would seem that she would need a lot of it.

 

Philip

 

From: Anne Fulker [
Sent: Monday, 6 August, 2018 4:45 PM
To: Canberra birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Fwd: Satin Bower Birds

 

Good evening all,

 

This email is self explanatory, this was a random encounter with Caroline in Woolies Erindale yesterday.  She is a bird lover but has been challenged with the ongoing issues she has with the birds and her garden.

 

Is there anyone who could offer Caroline help.  Not sure if it is OK to contact her directly or whether you can email me and I can forward on any helpful advice.  I do not know this lady, only from a chance conversation whilst out shopping.

 

Thanks

 

Anne

 

 

From: Caroline Judd <>

Subject: Satin Bower Birds

Date: 6 August 2018 at 10:56:27 am AEST

To:

 

Good morning Anne,

 

Thank you for giving me your email address in the hope that you may know somebody who could help me to rid my garden of Satin Bower Birds.

 

They first appeared in my garden about 10 or so years ago when the fig tree had fruit.  They'd come for a short while and then disappear till the following Summer.  This year they have not departed and have made my garden their own.  There are about 6 females and now the male has started visiting.

 

These birds are highly destructive and very messy.  For example, eating buds off Camelias, pulling every leaf off all my cyclamen, taking out cactus centres and eating or damaging my Cumquats and anything that takes their fancy.  They leave their droppings all over my back door path area and pollute the water containers which I've now reduced to 2.  About 2 months ago I found part of my pebble path at my BarBQ missing - it's about 10" sq and the pebbles are glued onto  fine mesh. These squares are no longer available so I have a very obvious gap.  I eventually found the mesh with just 1 white pebble still partly attached.  I always thought it was blue they liked.  Have found a few blue bottle caps too.

 

Any help with a deterrant would be much appreciated.  I've hosed them with the hose jet and hung some holographic scare tape from branches but neither works.  In fact they just attack the knob of the tape trying to pinch it I suppose.

 

Thank you Anne for your email address and offer of help.  I live in Wanniassa and my phone # is 0419 681 878.

 

Your sincerely,

Caroline.