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Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Help smaller birds and keep jackdaws and rooks out of garden with simple trick
Jackdaws and rooks are known for being pretty disruptive, swooping in and taking over the bird feeders in your garden - but a wildlife expert has revealed a simple solution While the sight of charming birds and the melody of their songs are welcome additions to most gardens, not every homeowner is keen on having all types of feathered friends flocking to their backyard. Jackdaws and rooks are sometimes seen as a bother as they can monopolise bird feeders, edging out smaller, more timid birds and competing for the food you leave out. Both jackdaws and rooks will scavenge for scraps left by humans. They tend to scavenge and disrupt other bird populations, particularly smaller birds, and can nest in spots you would rather they didn't. Belonging to the Corvidae family of birds that also includes crows, ravens, magpies, jays, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers, both jackdaws and rooks can compete for nesting sites, be noisy and even cause property damage. Jackdaws are known for nesting in chimneys and roofs which can lead to blockages and damage, and may nest in gutters and eaves, increasing the risk of water damage and structural issues. Rooks are known to harm crops and both species will pilfer eggs and nestlings from other birds, reports the Express. Garden bird feeding expert Lucy Taylor of Vine House Farm Bird Foods has shed light on what can be done, as well as suggesting a possible compromise. Lucy remarked: "Despite their relatively large size and the fact they're both naturally ground feeders in the crow family, Jackdaws and Rooks have increasingly adapted to precariously cling to hanging bird feeders containing seed, peanuts or suet products. Along with quickly depleting the amount of food in the feeders, these larger birds will generally deter small songbirds from feeding. But there are several things you can do to prevent this." To combat the issue, Lucy suggests opting for a squirrel-proof bird feeder, which tends to be effective against jackdaws and rooks as well. She explained: "There are two basic designs of feeder which are aimed at keeping grey squirrels out, but actually generally work just as well for larger birds. The first has a simple cage around the feeder, with the gaps being large enough for small songbirds but will be far too small for the likes of a Jackdaw. "The second type of feeder works on a spring-loaded mechanism, with the ports of the feeder closing with the weight of a larger bird landing on one of the perches. Both these basic types of feeder are available for seed and other types of food." 'I'm a beauty writer - the new ghd curling wand gave me perfect waves in 15 mins' Amazon Prime Day deals live: Top home, garden, BBQ and outdoor savings you don't want to miss Additionally, she recommends considering a ground cage that permits small birds to feed while obstructing the bigger corvids. Lucy suggests: "For ground feeding and including where food is placed directly on a surface like a patio or short grass, a simple ground cage can be placed over the food. Again, this allows small birds in and keeps larger birds out - including wood pigeons which anyway can't land on hanging feeders. The same would broadly apply to magpies, though they will sometimes try to use hanging feeders as well." However, she advises not to discard your regular bird feeders, as there's room for a balanced approach. "Retain at least some normal feeders," Lucy recommends. "The reason I wouldn't advocate only using the above types of feeders, is that along with allowing Jackdaws and Rooks at least some access to food, having at least one or two normal bird feeders as well also means that species like Great spotted wood peckers aren't excluded. So my overall message is one of compromise rather than complete exclusion, as all garden birds need our help, and regardless of size and species." Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our .
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to do 1 simple garden task during the heatwave
As temperatures continue to soar, people are being urged to help birds in their garden because the hot weather can be a struggle for them As the UK braces for another heatwave, Brits are being urged to make a simple addition to their gardens to aid local wildlife. With temperatures set to soar to 30℃ in some parts of the country, our feathered friends will need a bit of extra assistance to cope with the blistering heat. Studies revealed when summer dry spells become just 1℃ hotter, the survival rate of birds for the entire year plummets by an average of 63 per cent. If you're keen on helping your garden's bird population flourish this summer, there's one crucial step you can take before the mercury rises to ensure their wellbeing. Lucy Taylor, a garden wildlife expert at Vine House Farm Bird Foods, suggested offering them a vital food source is an excellent way to lend a hand. She explained: "The main food that most garden birds need at this time of year is invertebrates, including caterpillars, flying insects, earthworms and snails. "Even species like the house sparrow that feed on seeds for much of the year will partly switch to invertebrates during the breeding season because the protein and moisture they contain are what their chicks need to grow and survive." To guarantee the birds in your garden are getting what they need, you can provide them with dried mealworms soaked in water to help them manage in the hot weather, reports the Express. Lucy advised: "They must be first soaked in cold water for a few hours before putting them out. Sultanas are another food which are good for some species of garden bird, but again, it's essential they're first soaked in water." Lucy emphasised the importance of providing birds with fresh water during hot spells, saying: "Access to clean water can be a lifesaver for birds when there's no natural source of water close by, but dirty water in bird baths is a real hazard as it can cause and spread disease in birds." She advised: "So keep the bird bath clean and full with fresh water throughout the day. "The other thing you can do is add a further source of clean water in your garden, which can be any sort of shallow dish or tray - e.g. the sort that goes under a plant pot."
