Marge Says, "Protect Your Birds!"

Marge Lounging About the Garden I am sorry to report that my cat Marge has discovered the joys of bird hunting. She is particularly interested in the new baby birds that are just emerging from their nests. In an effort to get her to reform her ways I’ve asked her to make a list of tips for protecting our feathered friends from predators. After much yowling she came up with some pretty good advice.

I thought you might be interested in her tips as well. Just in case you have a “wild beast” lurking in your garden, too.

I can’t understand if Allen encourages my mouse hunting, why birds should be different? To help me mend my ways Allen has instructed me to make a list of ways to protect these feathered animals. I’m certain he plans to use these tips against me! So it is with great reluctance that I write this column. To all my feline comrades I apologize, but sometimes you have to appease the one who controls the food bowl.

1.    The number one way to protect birds from cats is to keep your cat indoors. In addition to creating a safer environment for the birds, your cat will be healthier and safer, too.

2.    Set up feeders in areas where the birds will feel safe. Give the birds an easy escape by placing feeders 5 to 10 feet from a large shrub or tree. Don’t place the feeder too close because these areas also serve as hiding spots for predators.

3.    If a neighbor’s cat is the problem, try discussing it with the owner. Nothing upsets Allen more than someone reporting on my bad behavior. It’s the quickest way to get him to take corrective measures.

4.    Stray cats can be trapped using humane traps and then taken to a local animal shelter. Just remember that animal shelters are often underfunded and overcrowded so you might be turned away. Consider adopting the cat and moving it indoors. That’s what Allen did for me. Also, making regular donations to the shelter before you need their services is a good idea and always spay or neuter your pets.

5.    To keep cats out of certain areas of the garden get a water timer for your sprinkler and set it to go off several times during the day. Cats will avoid wet areas. Set a random schedule so that your little furry friends will not acclimate to the situation. Or you can purchase motion activated sprinkler heads that run on batteries.

Marge Says, "I Have Favorite Plants Too!"Marge Moves InWinter Bird Feeding

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RE: My new friends

Marge the Cat

Reply #66 on : Tue June 16, 2009, 13:17:54

Buddybudkins - Thanks for checking in! It's great to hear about your new place. Your window views sure sound fabulous. Not much to report here. Trying to stay cool.

Marge

My new friends

Buddybudkins Johns

Reply #65 on : Sun June 14, 2009, 14:08:30

Hi Marge. Buddybudkins here. Just want to tell you about what I have been up to since my last e-mail to you.

Momma, Rudy and I moved to an upstairs apartment and we have ceiling to floor windows in the bedrooms and a balconey with a door. We sit or lay there watching the trees move in the breezes and the birds flying by.

Momma puts out a "plate" of seeds and water for the squirrels and seeds in a bird feeder way up above Momma's head. She has to find a safe place to put water for the birds to play in.

Rudy and I are not allowed on the balconey if the squirrels and birds are around. We only goe out there when they are not around and Momma is with us.

The first time the squirrels came to eat, I got so excited I kept scarring them. Then Momma laid on the floor with me behind the door and talked to me about scaring them.

Now I just look out the door at the squirrels and we stare each other down while they eat. They now come to the door and tease me, but I just sit there and watch.

Rudy, from the start, just sits or lays there watching them for about 15 minutes then goes away to his sleep place and sleeps.

The birds are a different story. I want to chase them and I get Momma mad because I won't listen. Allen is not the only one that has a bird chaser. It's not fun if our parents get mad at us. I know that I have to listen to Momma and try to not scare the birds.

Time to go. The squirrels have gone home until later in the afternoon. Momma is going to clean the balconey and dishes and refill them and the birdfeeder. The birds need to have more seeds in the feeder. Momma calls them her little piggies like me and Rudy.

Write some more things that you have been doing. I enjoy reading your emails.

Have a good summer.

Your friend

Buddybudkins Johns

Marge

jamie f thomson

Reply #64 on : Sat May 23, 2009, 20:03:00

My name is Dumor and I came by my family the same way you did, well sorter. Someone left me on their curb. They take very good care of me but I can't understand why they get so upset when i stare at their birds. I say their birds because they are amature bird watchers and I think that's what I am.

cats and bird feeders

sheila

Reply #63 on : Sat May 09, 2009, 08:56:04

Another easy thing to do is to add a small bell to her collar. My birds quickly learned to listen for it and were very happy . He loved that bell and would actually jump dpwm from things to here himself make the jingling sound.

Cats and birds-safety for all

Sue CARVER

Reply #62 on : Sun March 08, 2009, 21:27:06

Allen: As an AR Master Gardener I thought every cat owner knew you should "bell" your cat. Size of the bell is not important just place loosly on collar so it will 'tinkle' when the cat moves and scare away the birds. Also a feeder hung fairly high is a good idea. I know you knew this tip. Jonesboro bird feeder

Marge

mwpoutdoors

Reply #61 on : Sat February 07, 2009, 17:47:34

I just love reading about Marge. She is so photogenic, plus her owner dispenses great gardening advice.

Protecting the birds

Laurie Fadness

Reply #60 on : Sat February 07, 2009, 13:39:32

We've taken in a kitty who must live outside because my husband is allergic to cat dander. We came up with the idea to hang the bird feeder on the house wall over our dog's pet run. The cats aren't the least bit interested in that area and our terrier, Lucy, isn't out there most of the time--just to do her duty. Enjoying your website. L

Neighbor's Catnip

Kimz Garden

Reply #59 on : Tue January 27, 2009, 03:08:26

Funny I should run across this... I have 2 perfectly behaved canine children who would never dream of doing anythings so unseemly (Ha!) but it's my neighbor's feline that's driving bonkers. This huge fat cat is hunting my pet chipmunks and driving me mad. Every time I have a new set of babies that damn cat comes along and hunts them down. In fact, I always know when the new babies are born cuz the cat shows up without fail sitting poised on my back porch ready to spring when they peep their heads out from underneath the decking or the waterfall. The other thing is with our property and neighborhood layout, it's hard to tell whose cat it is. When I chase him away he flies off into the woods below but I've seen him across the street. Anywho, I'm sure Marge would never consider such horrid behavior as that! lol Love Marge's article~ too cute.

Marge

Charlene Mc Daniel

Reply #58 on : Sat December 13, 2008, 08:47:23

Marge is one smart girl. I enjoy reading her comments. We have been doing most of the things she suggests. Lucky, our feline, was a stray, has lived indoors for the past 16+ years. We have feeders near a very bushy pine tree and hedges. We just got new neighbors with 2 cats and have let them know we value "our" birds but still see cat tracks in the snow. "Go, Girl, Marge!"

a great way to stop cats from killing birds

Catherine Stanger

Reply #57 on : Mon September 15, 2008, 21:09:58

Dear Marge,
When our cat, Mike [a female] managed to kill birds with her bell collar on, we googled the topic and found an item - audobon society recommended! - called the catbib. we were dubious, but bird lovers, so we took the plunge. Mike could care less about wearing it, and it really seems to work. If you google catbib, you will see it. I highly recommend it!
Cathy.

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