birds and cherries

[mumsie_wumsie]

Hi, not a question, just an observation. I have a gorgeous cherry tree in my garden, and it was absolutely loaded with cherries. That was yesterday. Today it is almost bare,the birds have been and stripped the lot, and they weren't even ripe yet. I have seen some enormous crows sitting in the tree and having a real feast. I am not amused!!!!!

[237SJ]

They say the birds are really short of food at the moment due to the drought. No consolation but that may be why.

[redman41]

RSPB will be proud of you mumsie !!! ;-))

[mumsie_wumsie]

Hahaha redman41, glad to be appreciated then. But I was soooo looking forward to some nice juicy cherries. This is the first year this has happened,the birds usually get some, but never like this year. And 237SJ, glad I am contributing to keeping them fed then, although I always throw out food for them. Better luck next year....

[pushybabe1]

birds see in red and black hence they like fruit which are these colours, it happened to us last year as i bought my hubby a vine and the grapes were starting to turn dark and the birds got the lot, so this year we will be covering it over with some sheeting, but you would be hard pressed to do this with a cherry tree as its probably too big

[midagetrolop]

The starlings stripped my plum tree last year - talk about now you see it now you don't - gone in a few minutes!

[boxtops]

My neighbour nets her trees as soon as the fruit starts to set, might be worth doing next year....

[masma]

I've had a cherry tree for 4 years and this was the first year I'd had any cherries on it - along came the wind last week and they've all gone! Also have grape vines which get stripped over night, not by birds though - mice!

[mumsie_wumsie]

Well my cherry tree is now almost bare. Yesterday there were about 8 crows all in the tree having a good old feed.And about the same amount flying around waiting for their turn. There is no hope this year!!!!

[redman41]

No chance of a piece of Cherry Tart from you then ?
Oh well, maybe next Year !! lol

[pushybabe1]

yes they apparently do see in red and black, not sure if there are any other colours they are attracted to cant remember, david attenborough mentioned it on a programme i watched a while ago and he is the expert not me

[mumsie_wumsie]

Haha Redman, not a hope!!!! Next year, maybe, lets hope so.

[gingejbee]

The blackbirds are attacking my tayberries as I sit here and watch - I won't feed them in winter, now, the little s@ds.

[merciasounds]

I went out and stuck four washing line props either end of my three cherry trees, and then covered them with a mosquito net! I don't feel guilty as they have wild birdseed, fat balls, fat balls with seeds and half fresh coconuts to choose from all about the garden - and some mealy worms if i'm feeling generous when in the pet's shop.