The case of the vanishing hedgehog food

[Peanut]

I feed my hedgehogs in an upturned plastic box feeding station in the middle of the courtyard, so open space all around it. The other day I filled up the hedgehog food in the morning as I have done many times before, only this time, I noticed that by mid afternoon it looked as if half of it had been eaten. I then thought, maybe I didn't fill up the bowl this morning, maybe that was yesterday? I was confused. I filled it up again. and thought no more about it.
But then it happened a second time a few days later. Oh great, a bold rat must be taking it. But they are shy, the don't like to eat in the open. It didn't make sense

Tonight at about 20.00hrs I just happened to glance out of the kitchen window and there, in the feeding station was a magpie!
The clever thing had sussed it out and was having his/her dinner. I watched it for a while, then tapped on the window and it reversed out of the box and flew off. Cheeky thing.

At least it wasn't a rat

[Containergardener]

Perhaps something over the hole to get in. I've seen people put strips of plastic or foil hanging down like a screen to deter a rat . The hedgehog still went in.

[Peanut]

That's a good idea Containergardener I'll rustle something up

[JoaoLeaftide]

Rats are surprisingly bold about hedgehog feeding stations, they'll squeeze through gaps you'd think were too small. The foil strip idea is worth a go, or a proper hedgehog house with a tunnel entrance that's only about 13cm wide, rats tend to avoid those.

[Peanut]

Rats are surprisingly bold about hedgehog feeding stations, they'll squeeze through gaps you'd think were too small. The foil strip idea is worth a go, or a proper hedgehog house with a tunnel entrance that's only about 13cm wide, rats tend to avoid those.

It's not rat (said in the voice of Manuel from Fawlty Towers) it's a Magpie!

[Vince G]

Magpies are much maligned in my view. Yes they rob nests, yes they nick food, but they're stunningly beautiful, they're typically corvid smart and are one of natures adaptable survivors. They were a rare garden sighting when I was a kid.

I recorded a female tearing one of my hanging basket liners to bits for nesting material a couple of weeks ago but can't seem to upload it here as the site won't accept .mov files.

I thought something was nicking bits of it but couldn't catch somebody in the act!

[Containergardener]

It's sparrows that raid mine Vince

[Peanut]

They are smart and very beautiful Vince G and I'd forgotten how large they are, only usually seeing them some distance away. I've decided not to try and deter it from getting in. He/she was clever enough to find the food in there so I think it's only fair he gets his reward.

[Vince G]

They are smart and very beautiful Vince G and I'd forgotten how large they are, only usually seeing them some distance away. I've decided not to try and deter it from getting in. He/she was clever enough to find the food in there so I think it's only fair he gets his reward.

Very magnanimous of you. I took a different view when rats got into my polytunnel and raided my tomatoes last year!

[Peanut]

Very magnanimous of you. I took a different view when rats got into my polytunnel and raided my tomatoes last year!

I suspect I took a similar approach to you when I caiught a rat sat in my peach tree, in the greenhouse, eating my one and only, and first ever peach!

[Containergardener]

They are smart and very beautiful Vince G and I'd forgotten how large they are, only usually seeing them some distance away. I've decided not to try and deter it from getting in. He/she was clever enough to find the food in there so I think it's only fair he gets his reward.

As long as its mate don't come too along with jackdaws.

Don't see many in the garden but neighbours started feeding them and loads came along with jackdaws.

[Peanut]

As long as its mate don't come too along with jackdaws.

Don't see many in the garden but neighbours started feeding them and loads came along with jackdaws.

We have a rookery opposite that includes jackdaws. They don't tend to come down into the garden as we're surrounded by fields. It's quite something when they all fly over the garden at once.

[Containergardener]

I'm also surrounded by fields . Neighbours hung feeders on the fence to field and magies came . Not seen them.as much this yr so maybe it was a certain food.