A family has spoken out about how a neighbour's attempt to keep birds away from their garden using a noisy deterrent has led to the end of a once-friendly relationship. The device, which emitted a high-pitched whining sound, was described as 'driving them crazy' and prevented them from using their own garden or even opening their patio doors.
The Problem with the Bird Scarer
The bird scarer, which the family claims did not even effectively deter pigeons, was installed by their neighbours of many years. The constant noise not only disturbed their daily life but also woke up their young daughter, who slept in the back bedroom. Despite multiple polite requests to turn it off or reduce the volume, the neighbours refused, stating that what they did on their property was their own business.
Escalation to the Council
After exhausting all other options, the family made a formal noise complaint to the council. This resulted in the neighbours receiving a letter and the family being asked to fill in a diary sheet. Another neighbour, also bothered by the noise but unwilling to act, spoke to the offending neighbour, who remained uncooperative. Eventually, due to another complaint, a council officer visited and ordered the removal of the device.
The family, who shared their story on Mumsnet, expressed regret over the fallout. 'The easy going relationship we had has gone forever,' they wrote. 'Neighbour is now chatting s**t about us.' They questioned whether they had been unreasonable in taking steps to enjoy their own garden.
Public Sympathy and Support
Many commenters sympathised with the family. One shared a similar experience with a neighbour's cat alarm that caused migraines. Another advised accepting the situation, as the neighbour is unlikely to change their stance. A third noted the balance between using one's garden and being a good neighbour, suggesting the neighbour had failed in that regard. An acoustic consultant confirmed that the council would not have acted without agreement that the noise was a nuisance, especially given multiple complaints.
The story highlights the challenges of neighbour disputes over noise and the lasting impact they can have on community relationships.
