The Chill Out Zone

[stevestrat]

Hmmm . . . . interesting. Been looking for substantial bird seed feeders to replace the ones destroyed by the squirrel(s). One feeder manufacturer (and after research, numerous other sites) advises adding chilli flakes or cayenne pepper to the seeds, doesn't bother the birds as they can't taste it but squirrels can and hate it, even the smell will put them off. Certainly worth trying.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Lancpudn

Blimey! Phil, I hope the scan & heart assessment go favourably for you.

Morning Ian, thank you and thank you guys for your support, much appreciated. In December, when I met with the surgeon in Bristol (NHS) he said if his patients have too many problems, he takes them off his list and lets nature takes its course.

I suspect his thinking was more to do with being compassionate and kind, in not putting a sick/elderly person with multiple health issues through the trauma and pain of having major surgery.

In light of his comments, I decided not to say too much and as a back up I decided to go private, as I wasn't ready to throw in the towel.

One of Jessica's friends has said we can have the use of her flat in Baker Street which she lets out on AirBnB. Its currently vacant as it is having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted, but if we need it post op, we can have it for as long as we need and it has its own underground parking space. Of course we will pay her for the use of the flat.

The surgeon in North London has told me to keep active and to get more fit.

The weather here today in Bristol is miserable with wind and rain, can't go out side exercising. As we live on the 4th floor and no lift, I am up and down its 64 steps, 8 flights of stairs - making the heart and lungs work harder. I have to be sensible in not overdoing it.

How are you?

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Hmmm . . . . interesting. Been looking for substantial bird seed feeders to replace the ones destroyed by the squirrel(s). One feeder manufacturer (and after research, numerous other sites) advises adding chilli flakes or cayenne pepper to the seeds, doesn't bother the birds as they can't taste it but squirrels can and hate it, even the smell will put them off. Certainly worth trying.

Thank you Steve for your support and cheerful wittiness. Have you thought about making your own bird seed feeder, or is it better to get one in already made up?

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

One of Jessica's friends has said we can have the use of her flat in Baker Street which she lets out on AirBnB. Its currently vacant as it is having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted, but if we need it post op, we can have it for as long as we need and it has its own underground parking space. Of course we will pay her for the use of the flat.

It isn't 221B Baker Street per chance?

Glad you went private Phil.......Nature will have to wait where you're concerned!

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Have you thought about making your own bird seed feeder, or is it better to get one in already made up?

Really need four feeders to keep the birds happy, thanks to the squirrels we're down to two and one of them is starting to show its age so ideally need three! Best one we got in Lidl, had it for years, top and bottom are ceramic, plastic tube is more substantial than most and the openings/perches are metal but its showing its age, the plastic tube is starting to get a bit brittle. Annoying thing is Lidl had them in about a month/6 weeks ago but didn't need them then . . . . do now and no idea when they'll be in again.

This is the damage the squirrel did to one of the feeders, 2nd one was just as bad



We have a dome to prevent vermin climbing the pole, I'd dropped that a couple of inches to stop the magpies standing on it to get at the feeders, the new height must have been in leaping range for the squirrel. Its back to original height again.

[roverbarmy]

I stopped feeding the "birds" when I spotted rats eating at the base. A colleague who used to work for a local council said that most of their pest controllers advised against feeding "birds" near your own home due to the attraction of other unwelcome "wildlife"!

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

I stopped feeding the "birds" when I spotted rats eating at the base. A colleague who used to work for a local council said that most of their pest controllers advised against feeding "birds" near your own home due to the attraction of other unwelcome "wildlife"!

Rats were "discouraged" with a .22 air rifle! Couldn't say when I last saw one.

[Lancpudn]

Originally Posted by stevestrat

Really need four feeders to keep the birds happy, thanks to the squirrels we're down to two and one of them is starting to show its age so ideally need three! Best one we got in Lidl, had it for years, top and bottom are ceramic, plastic tube is more substantial than most and the openings/perches are metal but its showing its age, the plastic tube is starting to get a bit brittle. Annoying thing is Lidl had them in about a month/6 weeks ago but didn't need them then . . . . do now and no idea when they'll be in again.

This is the damage the squirrel did to one of the feeders, 2nd one was just as bad



We have a dome to prevent vermin climbing the pole, I'd dropped that a couple of inches to stop the magpies standing on it to get at the feeders, the new height must have been in leaping range for the squirrel. Its back to original height again.

Blimey! they've done a number on that feeder Wilko's have a lot of different bird feeders in store if there's one near you.
I'm just watching the pigeons trying to feed on the bird feeders , I've pulled them away from the laurel tree & this crafty begger is perched on a branch higher than the feeding hole & bending the branch down with it's weight so he can feed


I'm going to have to pull them even further out, That's the only place the neighbourhood cats cant get at them.

[Lancpudn]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Morning Ian, thank you and thank you guys for your support, much appreciated. In December, when I met with the surgeon in Bristol (NHS) he said if his patients have too many problems, he takes them off his list and lets nature takes its course.

I suspect his thinking was more to do with being compassionate and kind, in not putting a sick/elderly person with multiple health issues through the trauma and pain of having major surgery.

In light of his comments, I decided not to say too much and as a back up I decided to go private, as I wasn't ready to throw in the towel.

One of Jessica's friends has said we can have the use of her flat in Baker Street which she lets out on AirBnB. Its currently vacant as it is having a new kitchen and bathroom fitted, but if we need it post op, we can have it for as long as we need and it has its own underground parking space. Of course we will pay her for the use of the flat.

The surgeon in North London has told me to keep active and to get more fit.

The weather here today in Bristol is miserable with wind and rain, can't go out side exercising. As we live on the 4th floor and no lift, I am up and down its 64 steps, 8 flights of stairs - making the heart and lungs work harder. I have to be sensible in not overdoing it.

How are you?

Hi Phil I'm not bad thanks, MRI scan tomorrow morning & I'll pop into the DVT dept to find out what';s happening about those injections I need to do myself as I've still not had conformation of an appointment yet. The pigeon saga continues with me not being able to reach up & grab it, Sure enough it was bang on 05:00 again this morning when it started flapping it's wings then nothing at all.
At this rate the only way it'll get to come out is if it drops dead & falls into the grate. I've still got the open ended cat basket jammed up against the hole in the plaster board for it to walk in but nothing as yet

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

I stopped feeding the "birds" when I spotted rats eating at the base

I wouldn't dare stop feeding the wee birds, I'd get jumped when I went out, hell it would be like a scene from "The Birds" I get them tapping on the window if the feeders are empty.