Cat killing birds - what to do?

[oopslateagain]

My mum loves feeding the birds in her garden, she spends a fortune on fat balls, seed etc, and has a semi-tame robin she is very proud of!

Last week a cat suddenly appeared, absolutely gorgeous, she's either pure Bengal or a Bengal cross. She is lovely, very friendly... and hunts. She has killed at least two birds in mum's garden, and mum is petrified she's going to get the robin.

I suggested visiting the owners (she's tagged) and asking them to put a bell on her collar; I also bought mum some cat repellant powder. Any other suggestions?

well your mum can do things to help... for example, not having a bird table on/near a fence where the cat can jump for, and not leaving bird food on the ground etc.
if she can encourage the birds to feed somewhere that it isn't easy for the cat to get at that might help.

she might also shoo the cat away every time she sees it, although that might not be overly effective lol

I use a water pistol. Doesn't hurt, but they run off. Very difficult though - you can't watch them all the time. :-( I have cats, some of mine hunt, some don't. Luckily they are not too bothered about birds (we have free range hens) and mainly hunt mice and rabbits. Actually, if your mum were to get some hens and a cockerel, the cock would see the cat off...

I read that you can buy 'lion pellets' online (literally essence of lion poo) that is meant to deter cats from coming into your garden. Not toxic at all. Teritory marking thing apparently. NO idea if it's odour is detectable by humans ...

It's very good for roses. But not too sure how good it is re cats. I had a Bengal, he was wonderful, but he ate a lot of wildlike :-(

Mine are into bringing voles and shrews into the house. sigh. They die of shock rather than injury. Sad because i think shrews are endangered.

I have three cats, I bought the cat repellent to encourage them to poo in the nice dug-over area I had prepared for them instead of my nice lawn. It... 'sort of' worked. The lion pellets were as much use as a chocolate teapot. My kitten came in smelling a bit odd and I realised she had been rolling on the bloody things.

The bird table is in the middle of the lawn, they are safe(ish) on it, but the cat lies in wait under the bushes until one of the birds flitters down to the ground then... BAM. 'Tis quite impressive actually!

I'm going to lend her my sonic repeller, it definitely does work but not sure if it'll work on the birds too! I use it on my front gravel litter box driveway.

I think if the sonic repellents are set high enough to repell cats then it may repell the birds too, sadly.

I think the bell idea is a really good one OP.

Two of my cats hunt; I always know if one has lost his/her collar (with bell) because of the sudden appearance of tiny sad little corpses on the patio. Proves the bell works, if only the owners are willing to put one on her.

My bengal takes his collar off, I have to buy them at poundland because he goes through so many.

Bengals are not stupid though, mine hides in the bushes too. We cut our shrubs back at the base so the birds had a fighting chance. Luckily the ground feeding chaffinches and robins learnt to use the feeder not the ground.

If she sees the cat I would advise chasing her away.

She does; I have to admit to secretly laughing at her scooting out to the garden waving her teatowel like a maniac and shouting "shoosh, shoosh, shoosh".

Supersoaker it is then! got to be more dignified than teatowel waving.