malumbu

1. Traffic congestion is nothing new in London 2. Poor driving standards make a significant contribution to poor air quality, the vast majority of drivers cannot drive smoothly in traffic calmed area, accelerating/braking (wasting fuel as well, and increasing wear and tear). And similarly drive smoothly on urban roads. Ironic that that there is a call for speedbumps on Ryedale. Of course that is because most drivers don't obey speed limits on urban roads. Irresponsible. What do you reckon?

Squirrels are an invasive species, displacing the native red squirrel and damaging woodland. Happy to see them decimated and culled. Nothing directly to do with garden birds but habitat destruction doesn't help their woodland cousins. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/grey-squirrel-policy-statement/grey-squirrel-policy-statement-managing-the-impact-of-grey-squirrels

Sorry to hear, horrid news, it was different in the Horniman area as not damaging the panels, although as said before do not want to speculate. The police need pretty good quality CCTV images, the ring door bell ones were too far away to have a good definition. Do keep on at the police, it is so un-joined up and I found when I tried to get Southwark and Lewisham to liaise about the scooter crash scam.

Thanks for the good discussion, this should be re-titled as a general thread about feeding the birds. @Penguin not really sure why you posted, most are aware that virtually all land in this country is managed, and has been for 100s of years, but there are many organisations, local and national government, that manage large areas of land that create appropriate habitats for British nature, including rewilding and reintroductions. We can all do our bit even if this is not cutting your lawn, and certainly by not concreting over it. (or plastic grass, urgh). I have simply been stating that garden birds are semi domesticated, as perhaps the deer herds in Richmond Park, New Forest ponies, and even some foxes where we feed them. Whoever it was who tried to get a cheap jibe in about Southwark and the Gala festival. Why? There is a whole thread on Gala for you to moan on. Lots going on in Southwark https://www.southwark.gov.uk/culture-and-sport/parks-and-open-spaces/ecology-and-wildlife I've talked about green sqwaky things before, if it was legal I'd happily use an air riffle, and I don't eat meat. And grey squirrels too where I am encourage to dispatch them. Once a small group of starlings also got into the garden I constructed my own cage using starling proof netting, it worked for a year although I had to make a gap for the great spotted woodpecker to get in. The squirrels got at it in the summer but sqwaky things still haven't come back, starlings recently returned. I have a large batch of rubbish suet pellets so will let them eat them before reordering and replacing the netting. Didn't find an appropriately sized cage, the gaps in the mesh have to be large enough for finches etc, and the commercial ones were £££ The issue with bird feeders isn't just dirty ones, and I try to keep mine clean, but that sick birds congregate in close proximity with healthy birds. The cataclysmic obliteration of the greenfinch population was mainly due to dirty feeders and birds feeding close to each other.

Why is it common sense? The sense that I am getting is entrenched views and not seeing the bigger picture. Happens every time that there are proposals to restrict traffic, charge for parking and the like. Have no strong views on the scheme. Just bemused by some of the reaction, noting that a few of you who live in the area were actually for the scheme. The one thing I would say is that many motorists lack common sense. Otherwise they may be a bit more responsible.

Good Heavens Rockets, Fishboy makes some good comments but you cherry pick the one that suits your agenda. @fishboy Thanks for your post in particular as I have been saying for years "The discussion really should be about changing people's habits of the need to drive & park / stop as close to their destination as possible." I also share your disgust for those who drive their kids short distances to school for no good reason apart from habit/laziness and worse still park illegally. I see this many days of the school week. This week I've been cycling through Honor Oak Park and stunned at the numerous drivers running the red lights at the Thames Water works, today it just led to grid lock. I'd happily discuss your views about displacement, hard measures such as road restrictions and charging compliment softer measures in encouraging behaviour change. Just such a hard nut to crack. Congestion charging and the high cost of parking in central London have had an effect in reducing traffic.

Silly comment. Read the attachment. Or go to i-player and watch Winterwatch: https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/winterwatch-jack-baddams-protect-birds-comment/ Our gardens are not natural, many of the birds that use them are dependent on us. Most of us feed the birds, including myself, do it for our own pleasure rather than in a belief that we are reversing the damage done to nature by humans over recent centuries.

How to you grow these? I've scattered meadow flower seeds many a time, but thistles don't take and I doubt if alder and birch is common round here. Teasels pop up now and then, but even if they are self seeding usually don't see them the next year. It was nice seeing the gold finches feeding off these when I do have them. I do let the dandelions grow but not sure I've seen finches feeding off them. I understand they are a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies and the like. On a related subject my lawns have changed greatly over the last couple of decades, warmer wetter winters, springs, earlier springs, droughts in the summer. Moss and brambles thrive....

What have your conspiracy theories got to do with LTNs? Whoops shouldn't have asked that as I can feel Lawrence Fox, Piers Corbyn and Katy Hopkins prepared to answer. I'm certainly not coming to your imaginary dinner party. https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/editors-letters/london-mayor-elections-laurence-fox-piers-corbyn-b1813707.html

What do you mean by tax paying public? Most adults pay tax, including the rich and privileged. Or is this that deep state I've heard about on social media. I'm not rich and privileged but I believe in some restrictions on drivers.

That view is really sad. That streets could be so much nicer, people walking more yet you dismiss this. If you recall it continued when the social distancing rules were progressively relaxed during lock down. Don't you think that this was a good thing? I hate to tell you the Dulwich LTN is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Well I don't actually hate telling you.

Don't be silly, you well know that the mayor exaggerated the impact of ULEZ. It is positive, and a great success, but the above press release used selective data. Do you remember how great it was during Covid with the quiet roads? Can you explain why so many returned to driving??

@Mabaker You were unsuccessful in getting goldfinches Use a nyge feeder and/or sunflower chip feeder and they will come. A yellow ribbon may help to attract them. https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/products/all-weather-niger-seed-feeder?variant=44984394711257&country=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17182013905&gclid=CjwKCAiAqKbMBhBmEiwAZ3UboEzcMqK1iuYX51ugogbRvidH8ia8707CSAgSgqes8hdhEG2WNSkG1RoCrr0QAvD_BwE

Hold the next Forum drinks there?!

Which was why Johnson brought in LTNs, and many local authorities bid for the money. Yes, a shame, how quickly things reverted back to the bad old days...