What would you do ?
By weemam
@weemam (13372)
June 26, 2008 1:17pm CST
I live in a nice neighbourhood , I have really nice neighbours and I can honestly say I get on well with them all , I even hold door keys for some for when they are away from home and I keep an eye out for them , I bought a lovely bronze effect bird table a couple of weeks ago ( something I have always wanted , I leave things out for the birds and when they have finished it I fill it with fresh water , My OH and I have great pleasure in watching the antics of them and sometimes the slip into it like a slide , It is great fun watching them together out of the kitchen window ,
Tonight my next door neighbour ( I am very friendly with her) came to the back door with a parcel the post man had left for me , My son took it from her as my back is still a bit sore and he didn't invite her in as we usually do,
When she went away he came he came through and told us she had said she didn't want to offend me but the birds were messing all over the place , I don't know what to do , I am not going to get rid of the bird table as I love it , but I don't want to hurt my neighbour , I know the mess on the bird table and on my car an odd time but the guy across the way has pigeons and they REALLY mess , I think this is just nature , what do you think ? I would really appreciate your input . Hubby and I both love nature XX
10 people like this
23 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 08
I think that is terrible to say
I can't see how they would make that much Mess for a Neighbour to be complaining
I would just ignore the Comment to be honest as I think there is a bit of Jealousy there
You and your Hubby enjoy it and do not worry about the Neighbor next Door as I think she is wrong to even suggest that xxxx
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 08
Yes I know they are I knew that as soon as I read this just ignore her and enjoy your Table love you and a big Hug to you
If I was there I would have gone round and asked her politly to show me where the mess is I bet she couldn't have xxxx
1 person likes this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
26 Jun 08
The bird table sounds like a very nice thing and it seems like the birds love it. I would also enjoy watching them just like I enjoy watching the hummingbirds at my feeder when they are around. The lady behind us has hanging bird feeders and we have no problem with the birds messing around here, birds are all around even if she did not have the feeders. Oh I agree with you about the pigeons, they are to big time trouble.
Is your bird table close to her property? If not then I would just leave it alone or if I could maybe move it over just a little bit to try to please her.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
26 Jun 08
Hi Gran! The devil in me would say, it's your garden you have every right to put a bird table out there if you please, I can't see what difference a bird table is going to make, birds still mess, and the majority of households feed the birds and the animals. I think she is being a little bit of a drama queen if you don't mind me saying. I would certainly NOT take the bird table away, but I appreciate its you who have to live next to her not me. Firstly, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was her who had the bird table and you felt strong about the bird muck, what would she say? And secondly you could always ask her if there was a resolve that would make both parties happy, after all it's all about compromise. You are not the only ones who feed the birds and I bet she doesn't feed them, that is why they mess in her garden because the birds are leaving her a different kind of message, feed us and we won't mess LOL! I'm sure if you both got together over a cup of tea and some biscuits you can sort it out between you so that both parties are happy and there is no ill feeling. You shouldn't have to stop your enjoyment of feeding the birds, not exactly a crime is it!
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
26 Jun 08
I would definitely keep the table. t is not fair that they are picking on you when, as you said, the people across the street have pigeons. That's not right at all. We've had birds messing our place up, and we don't have a bird table, so you're right. It is just nature.
2 people like this
@taramoon (740)
• Spain
26 Jun 08
Ahh hun birds are a pleasure to watch and your neigbour should be grateful that the birds are around in places like london the birds are so confused what with all the fumes and the lights at night, they come out at night cause they don't realise, saw a documentry on it, it was just so sad to see, i have birdies and a few black birds they are so sweet the black bird...named maggie sits with my mums cats !!! and she loves it when my mum puts the water sprinklers on, to many people dont care about nature because they are and inconvienience to there lives i.e the mess they leave behind, i know shes your friend but just put her straight that all gods creatures deserve a bit of fun in life, lol whats that advert on tv the spray you use to remove birds mess ?? buy her a bottle of that. Luv Tara xx
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
26 Jun 08
Nice lady or not, she's being a prude and I wouldn't worry about it. Do Not get rid of your bird table for her or she'll be finding other things to complain about and rule your life. Take a stand now before she takes over - so to speak. Ignore her comment and act as if she didn't say anything and if she does say something else just tell her, "I'm sorry for the mess but the birds were here before us and they'll be here after us" and leave it at that.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
27 Jun 08
I would just ignore her remark. If she brings the subject up again I would tell that birds are still going to crap whether you have a bird table or not. Tell her she could post a no tresspaassing sign for the birds in her area and see if that helps!!
@zhuuraan (961)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Haha I like your suggestion. Nice one. If she doesn't want to have birds crapping, maybe she should just cover her entire property in a giant tarp. Rof that's about the only way to prevent it completely lol. I'd be scared to see how covered that tarp'd be after a while if she actually did it lol!
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
27 Jun 08
You are obviously getting a lot of pleasure out of the bird table, watching the antics of the birds - and the birds are loving it just as much, so it would be a shame to take it away.
Why don't you invite her into your place for a coffee where she will be able to see the birds and how much they are enjoying the table? She may have a different point of view then.
@mummymo (23706)
•
28 Jun 08
Oh sweety that is awful that you have been put in that position! I think your bird bath is gorgeous and I am sorry but I wouldn't get rid of it! I don't think the bird bath is the reason for the mess - there are sooo many birds around here this year it would be happening anyway! I would just continue to enjoy it and try not to worry about it - I am sure your neighbour will get over it! Hugs xxx
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
21 Jul 08
Hi weemam! Sorry for the late response. I have been trying to catch up but I think I am 4 weeks late with yours. Sorry. Anyway, with regards to your neighbor, I think I will not mind what she has said. I will still keep the bird table and let the birds enjoy it too. Why should I give in to my neighbor when I am helping nature by feeding the birds. I would not give up feeding the birds just because of little inconveniences they are experiencing. I hope you have not given up on the bird table my friend.
Take care and God Bless!
@weemam (13372)
•
21 Jul 08
She goes away at the weekend so I feed them then , She doesn't know and I am still enjoying them :) . I did chat to her and offer to clean the mess but it was only a wee bit on one garden chair , I get that without the birds , I think she might have been feeling a bit down that day as we really get on well as neighbours , xx
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Jun 08
weemam your neighbor is being rather obnoxious. your bird
table is really none of her concern, if she does not like
the way it looks,let her look elsewhere then. you have not
broken any laws, and it is your back yard and as you say birds
just do what comes naturally. let her focus on the pigeons
if she must complain about something, otherwise tell her
to mind her own backyard. some people just seem to have to
complain about something all the time. lol
@lishiwei (1550)
• China
27 Jun 08
It's really hard to say.
We should love nature as more and more people are so busy and not care of others nowadays.
I think it really very hard to pusuade her.So you needn't care of it.There is no wrong with you so you needn't think too much of it.Maybe it will turn better several days later.
@rantingqueen (495)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Talk to your neighbor and try to understand her worry. Maybe there is a better spot for the bird table in your yard that will keep it away from her property? If it is the table itself that is causing the issue, hose it down from time to time and let her know that you will try to keep up on it so that it does not bother her.
Hopefully, if you can find the reason for her comment, you will be able to resolve it easily while keeping your beautiful birds happy in your yard.
Best Wishes!
@weemam (13372)
•
27 Jun 08
i clean it every day pal, I feed them ( not every day ), then I wash it off and fill i with water for them , we get the odd mess on washing but very rarely and sometimes on the car but again very rarely , we got that even before we had the bird table , I expect that from nature now and again ,she is a friend and we will sort it out , I was just upset because I thought I had upset her , xx
@raydene (9871)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Hi Sis
I don't know what to say!
I would feel like you that you love the birds
but thet you want to be a good neighbor.
We have a neighbor 2 houses down that has what
seems like a million cats that poop in my flowerbeds and
fight with my cat and spray all over..
I have never said anything but I do think she
is asleep not to realize the problems these animals
are for her neighbors...Point is if I can put up with
the likes of all that a few birds do not seem offensive!
lol
xooxoxxoo
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
27 Jun 08
We live with nature, with birds and people and sometimes it is messy to live with birds; sometimes it's messier to live with neighbors. Sometimes we do not get along with people in our own household. It is a difficult thing and frankly, I would probably be better off living alone on an island. Not too many people can get along with me.
@ramyashreesk (1021)
• India
27 Jun 08
I suggest you talk to your husband and then to your neighbour and sort out the issue. Don't worry ma'am patiently take decision 
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
27 Jun 08
Oh that bird table sounds wonderful 
Birds truly are wonderful to watch splashing around . We used to have a bird bath and feeding in our yard growing up and got much joy from it
It is something you love and get joy from and you should not get rid of it. I am sure it is not as bad as she is claiming it to be . She is acting a bit silly and i think she will get over it . People get upset about the smallest things , and I think it will pass.
Enjoy dear
Birds truly are wonderful to watch splashing around . We used to have a bird bath and feeding in our yard growing up and got much joy from it
It is something you love and get joy from and you should not get rid of it. I am sure it is not as bad as she is claiming it to be . She is acting a bit silly and i think she will get over it . People get upset about the smallest things , and I think it will pass.
Enjoy dear 
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
27 Jun 08
Oh weemam, this is so unfair of your neighbour! I can't believe the birds on your bird table would be affecting her! If the old lad across the road has had pigeons for ages and she hasn't stopped him, it sounds as if she's just being horrible. Pigeons are really messy, but we have native birds in our garden and I can't say I've ever noticed any bird mess - not even on my washing, and we have lots of large trees, a bird bath and two water features which the birds love to splash in. Don't take any notice of the neighbour - at least wait until she speaks to you personally, and then maybe you can ask her to show you where all the bird mess is. I bet if there is any, it's pigeon poo from the other neighbour!
@maleek49 (91)
• Singapore
27 Jun 08
I think you should talk her and explain to her the matter maybe she didn't mean to hurt you cause she doesn't understand your emotions..
but if she really mean it .. she is bad for treating you like this and you were a good neighbour to her to watch her house when she is not around..
i appreciate and like the way how to treat you neighbours.. you are really a nice person i wish if i had a neighbour like you..
