HELP WITH AN OYSTERCATCHER

[maganru]

I am having trouble with an oystercatcher that comes into the garden and pecks the front bumper of my car. A neighbour told me yesterday it started at 6 in the morning and it was still there at 9! Last night it returned and is not phased by an audience at all as there were several of us watching it. I got up at 6 this morning and there it was again, going from corner to corner of the front bumper. So I turned the car, thinking it might be some sort of reflection that was attracting it but the bird came straight back and carried on where it had left off. It even stood in the garden and waited for me to finish moving the car! Does it have nothing better to do? Garage not an option so what do I do?

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Deleted because of the total lack of a sense of humour on here.

[EMDEE]

Do you know a taxidermist?

[numberplease]

Get a cat!!

[History]

I am having trouble with an oystercatcher that comes into the garden and pecks the front bumper of my car.

Sorry can't help but you could always contact the the Scottish Seabird Centre and they may be able to give you an answer.

http://www.seabird.org/home.asp

A while back a thread was started about wildlife in the area but I'm afraid comments like the above chased off anyone genuinely interested in the subject and who wanted to post on that topic.

[maganru]

Thanks for that History. I'll maybe move the post. I've emailed the address you gave me and I'll await their response. Can't imagine this is that common!

[History]

Thanks for that History. I'll maybe move the post. I've emailed the address you gave me and I'll await their response. Can't imagine this is that common!

Would be interested to hear how you got on.

[MPR]

I am having trouble with an oystercatcher that comes into the garden and pecks the front bumper of my car. A neighbour told me yesterday it started at 6 in the morning and it was still there at 9! Last night it returned and is not phased by an audience at all as there were several of us watching it. I got up at 6 this morning and there it was again, going from corner to corner of the front bumper. So I turned the car, thinking it might be some sort of reflection that was attracting it but the bird came straight back and carried on where it had left off. It even stood in the garden and waited for me to finish moving the car! Does it have nothing better to do? Garage not an option so what do I do?

HAve you tried throwing an old towel over the bumper, maybe the change in colour, reflection or tactile feel will stop it.

[Govangirl]

Can I say that I get this yearly, except it's with a seagull and I honestly think it is the same one every year!!! I worked out it thought it was seeing another bird and it was its reflection but it actually caused quite a bit of damage. I had to put a blanket over the car. After that, it started on the mirrors so I had to put wee bags over them. Now I don't know if it is true but I only used to get it at the beginning of every May/June and a friend who knows these things told me that it's their hormones? But honestly, covering up the bumper seems to be the only way to stop it.

[numberplease]

[quote="History"][quote="maganru"]I am having trouble with an oystercatcher that comes into the garden and pecks the front bumper of my car.[/quote]


Sorry can't help but you could always contact the the Scottish Seabird Centre and they may be able to give you an answer.

http://www.seabird.org/home.asp

A while back a thread was started about wildlife in the area but I'm afraid comments like the above chased off anyone genuinely interested in the subject and who wanted to post on that topic.[/quote]

I didn`t intend for my comment to be taken so seriously, and am surprised that it was, but if any offence has been caused, I`m very sorry. I loved watching the oystercatchers at Muasdale, and wouldn`t harm them for the world.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Sorry for being flippant. Does your bumper have a rubber insert?I have noticed that crows have attacked several vehicles on my sales forecourt and have been stripping off the wiper blade rubbers.I would suggest that they are using this as some kind of nest binding.Might be worth e-mailing The R.S.P.B.Hope that this does not offend the easily offended on this forum.

[maganru]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I was out with the car most of yesterday and the offending bird was not there this morning when I got up. Maybe that's the end of it but time will tell. Believe me, I am not easily offended by any of your comments, amusing or otherwise. I appreciate them all.

[EMDEE]

Deleted because of the total lack of a sense of humour on here.

I should think so too! There's far too much levity on here!

[Govangirl]

[I should think so too! There's far too much levity on here!

This is, after all, General Chit Chat. When I am engaged in everyday chit chat people usually come in here and there with wee funny snips. I've never had the Humour Police interject with a finger-pointing session, thankfully!

[Govangirl]

Sorry for being flippant. Does your bumper have a rubber insert?I have noticed that crows have attacked several vehicles on my sales forecourt and have been stripping off the wiper blade rubbers.I would suggest that they are using this as some kind of nest binding.Might be worth e-mailing The R.S.P.B.Hope that this does not offend the easily offended on this forum.

Well Roger, your post has really offended Mr Govangirl and I. We were enjoying a nice wee cup of tea when your saucy talk of 'birds stripping off rubber' made me choke on a hob-nob. I am not pleased.

And Numberplease's suggestion of getting a cat wasn't a bad idea. My neighbour a few doors along didn't get any trouble fromthis seagull because she had a cat. I asked my friend on Islay tonight and he said he once had a problem with an oystercatcher just like Maganru had and the professional advice was that it thought the reflection was a rival bird and the only way to stop it was to cover up the car. Ah, you've gotta love nature!