Whats eating my nuts -birds or rats?

Question

We have had a bird table put up for a few years now, and it is attached to a bit of trellis fencing by a wall, next to a bush. We used to have a reasonable number of birds in the area, and theyd eat the peanuts we put on the table. However, lately there have been less of them about, and since the time our local council has moved rubbish collection from weekly to fortnightly, there is more rubbish around in streets and gardens. This just encourages rats, and the other day we saw a large brown rat running along the top of that wall during the daytime. It never went onto the table but jumped off the wall before it got there. I dont want to be feeding rats!

But how can I tell if the nuts (which are still being consumed) have been got at by rats or birds? There are lots of half-eaten nuts still on the table -does anyone know what signs to look out for. I ask this because I dont see anything actually eating them.

Answer 1

Most rats come out after dark.  Unless your table is well-lit, and you stay up late, you probably won't see them.  Check on and around your table for rat droppings, they are about 1/2 to 1/5 the size of a raisin and brown or black in color (depending on how old).  

You don't ask for a solution, but since I'm a know-it-all I'll offer one anyway:

Try moving your bird table and securing it to a surface that rats can't climb (such as a smooth brick wall).  Keep it apart from "ladders," such as drainspouts attached to the brick, and bushes.

Alternatively, you might consider investing in a "squirrel-proof" bird feeder.  These foil rats as well.  I've included a link to one as an example.  If you don't have anything to hang it from, and need to use a pole, be sure to buy a "skirt" that prevents rodents from climbing the pole.  Rats can jump horizontally six feet or more, depending on the elevation they start from, so place the feeder away from tree branches, walls and other jump-off points.  Your birds will return.  Good luck!