Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Please forgive me if I have asked for advice on this problem before. I have asked so many people that I have lost track.

I live in the south eastern part of the country, (North Carolina).
I live inside the city limits in a residential area. There are some trees but no large areas of woods or parks within a few blocks of my house. It is very unrural. I grew up in rural area so I expect a certain amount of wildlife in the country, but, not here. Well, my problem are birds...very loud birds. They start singing, sqwaking, chirpping, tweeting, you name it, as early as 4:30 a.m. Now that we are on daylight savings time it's around 5:30 a.m. It is still completely dark outside and these birds sound like it is in the middle of the day. I am awakened by them almost every morning. One kind will sing for about 10-15 minutes and then stop. Then another group will start. It continues for hours. It actually ocurrs during the day too, but, if I am home I just ignore it.

Any suggestions on how to stop it? I have lived in my house for about 7 years and this just started about 9 months ago. Could there be some idiot putting out bird seed at 4:30 in the morning and if he did, how would the birds see it?

I went to www.birdbgone.com and saw many options, but, they are very expensive. The sonic noise device is over $300.00 and what if it doesn't work. I can't shoot the birds, it's illegal in the city and besides, they are too many and I can't see them in the dark.LOL. This is sooo wierd.

Wow Debby! You must be really sensitive to noise.. and you must sleep with your windows open..

I've heard about the sonic noise machine in a couple areas around here but it's usually because they have a problem with vultures congregating in a small area.. They are huge scavenger birds and are a real nuisance..

I would think most people might enjoy having garden variety birds.. But if you really want to keep them away from your window... you might try getting one of those inflatable owls or hawks.. and put near your window at night... Do you know what I am talking about?
The birds will keep their distance if they think a bird of prey might get them..

They may get used to a phony.. so you might move it when you get up... and change it's position when you do use it..

In the end, it may be a futile battle! You must be a really light sleeper! I guess issues like this makes me glad I'm hearing impaired... I remember when I got my first hearing aid, the little noises drove me crazy...

Good luck.. not sure if there are any other practical deterents.. It's a busy time of year for the birds... Getting ready to mate and build nests.. It will probably settle down in a month or 2..

Has it always been a problem?

Hey Debby............even though I'm a "birder".........I totally sympathize with you on that!!!!

We get crows, ravens and magpies galore!!! We do live rural though. I sleep with a very loud fan going on my side of the bed to help with any type of noise since I'm such a lite sleeper....but sometimes they are louder than that and the windows are closed!! They do make owls that move their heads.........I think they're about $20. I tried letting the dogs out to chase them........but they just fly right back!!! One change was keeping the dog bowls inside. Sometimes I do think some of these tactics work...........other times it's a losing battle!!!!

Hugs to ya my friend!!!!

Thanks for the tips. I'll try anything.

I am a light sleeper, but, I don't wake up hardly ever when I'm sleeping somewhere that is not noisy. My parents live in the country and there are wildlife around, but, they are not so loud early in the morning and my parents have a bird bath and 3 bird feeders in the back yard!

I keep my windows closed tight, but, the birds are really loud. I know it sounds crazy, but, I feel like I'm in that movie, THe Birds, from the 1960's. LOL.

I have lived there for about 6-7 years and it never happened until about 9 months ago. That is what is so strange.

I will try the owl, however, because they start their show so early, it is still completely dark. Can they see the owl in the dark? I guess I could put a spotlight on him. LOL.

I only had 2 groups this morning, but, sure enough, they started singing very loudly around 5:15. When I got home yesterday evening from work, it was about 7:00. I saw not one bird in the trees of my yard nor the neighbors and heard no noise. It's such a mystery.

I'm going to get a noise machine for myself and see if that helps before I invest too much money in one that scares the birds away. I'll let you know.

Now that sounds like a good idea..

Maybe one of those tabletop water fountains.. Not sure what they are called..but are supposed to be calming like the sound of a running brook... I like the idea of the fan too...

I think there are all kinds various tabletop running water devices.. used for both therapy and decorative purposes.

An aquarium might do the same thing.. The hum of the motor and water.. can help mask annoying noises..but of course there is the upkeep factor..

I have one in my bedroom... but only because my husband is a fish enthusiast! We have 4 tanks in the house..