Rowan Berries And Birds

[Nodger]

There are three rowan trees (at least I think they're rowan) behind our garden - ie not IN the garden. For the last umpteen years when the berries have appeared they've been eaten almost immediately, and the trees stripped bare by the birds in two or three days. This year - not a nibble. The berries appeared two to three months ago or thereabouts - I didn't write it in my diary - and they're still there. Any ideas why? It's a mystery to us

[woofgang]

because there are plenty of other tastier options around?

[goodgoalie]

You're not alone, Nodger:
http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/bird-chat/4047-where-have-all-birds-gone.html

[woofgang]

My garden is full of birds but they aren't coming for food, they seem to be pigging out on berries and insects.

[Nodger]

Could be woofgang, thanks, but I don't normally associate birds with choosiness; thought they were normally on the greedy side.

Thanks also goodgooalie. Again could be, but we've not noticed a shortage of birds in the garden itself.

[gingejbee]

Exactly the same here.....I'm looking at a rowan tree loaded with orange berries which normally disappear very quickly thanks to blackbirds. The berries have been here for weeks...and no takers!

[KARL]

Because they are not truly ripe, or not as sweet as normal or in some way not appetising enough. My recollection is that rowan berries are eaten rather later, perhaps even into October. It is possible that they become attractive only after the first night frost.

[Tilly2]

Maybe the long, hot spell we had has caused the berries to be not as juicy as they should be. All the lovely blackberries, in the bramble patches, seem to have dried up and withered very quickly.

[woofgang]

Birds are picky. They will take the tastiest food first and leave the less desireable stuff until there is no choice.

[Nodger]

Thanks for all the interesting responses - I can't help feeling the exceptional weather we've had must be somewhere at the root of this

[Chipchopper]

Its possible that the berries are not quite ripe enough yet, they usually ripen after the first frost to become sweet and palatable, maybe thats the reason.
Some rowan trees near me get stripped by mistle thrushes, just when the time is right.

[rowanwitch]

The recent change to damp weather means worms are available again. Lots of slugs and snails around they will have those before the berries. First frost they will switch back