In message , John Dann
writes
Along similar lines, a related suggestion is to secure - eg with
insulating tape - a ring of toothpicks or similar around the
circumference of the top of the gauge and obviously projecting above
it. The theory has it that you don't need too many toothpicks or
whatever because birds don't routinely care to land in spaces too
narrow for them to spread their wings and take off in a hurry. I'm not
enough of an ornithologist (actually I'm not one at all!) to know
whether or not this might be true but it sounds plausible and
reportedly does work.


Thanks John. I adopted your idea using an odd length of 'P' shaped
rubber draught excluder with toothpicks inserted every 3cm or so as can
be seen he

http://www.thehendre.com/images/images.htm

I'll let you know how successful it proves!

And I have no idea how to stop spiders tying up the buckets!


--
Chris