Blackbirds Picking at Lawns

Blackbirds can cause problems in gardens during spring as they forage for food and moisture. With the very dry weather, many birds are desperate for sources of water. Keeping birds off gardens or lawns not an easy task! Providing a bird bath as a source of water for visiting birds would be a good start. 

The importance of drainage

As per the photo above, the condition of your lawn’s soil and lack of drainage can also cause problems. Treat the moss in your lawn by improving the drainage and spread Iron Sulphate on the moss infected area and water well. During summer, the moss will slowly disappear. Applications of Daltons Premium Lawn Fertiliser can also speed up the process and improve your lawn’s health. 

How often to fertilise your lawn

For established lawns, fertilise every 4-5 weeks from October till Christmas (avoiding hot summer months), recommencing from late February until late April. Ensure you have a good irrigation plan in place. You can repair and re sow lawn brown patches in spring or autumn with fresh Daltons Premium Lawn Patching Gold.

How to deter the blackbirds

You can "train" the birds that your lawn is not a pleasant place to visit. To do this, you can try a few things.

Install some bird netting, raised about 20 centimetres above the lawn, and attach it to a wooden framework to keep it solidly in position. You could also try reflective tape. String it across your lawn on support structures or from your fence to your house (or wherever you can attach it). Tension it so that it can still move in the wind - the movement and reflection will bother the birds. Be sure it is high enough so you can still mow under it.

You could also install automatic/sensor water sprays that shoot out water when motion is detected.

And perhaps if you have a cat, or a neighbouring cat that can be 'hired', they may also help in deterring the blackbirds.