Disappearing Gooseberry

[Dorothy rouse]

I have a couple of gooseberry bushes, planted last year, so this would have been first year of fruit, covered with netting, looks healthy, all fruit has disappeared?

Any ideas? Please?

[Scarlet]

How well are they netted? I don't cover mind. They are too big and I don't mind sharing a few but the pigeons have stripped my bushes this year.

[Dorothy rouse]

Loosely, there weren't many on to be honest as first year, but not one left! We are troubled with pigeons though, so maybe they got in under the netting?

Little buggers!

[WendyC]

Blackbirds also might do a raid!

[Scarlet]

I forgot the blackbirds..I have a huge population here with full bellies. My redcurrants bushes have been stripped bare and they haven't turned red yet!

[Dorothy rouse]

Bit silly of me really, I just didn't think, the birds would touch them, as they are so sour, so will have to protect them much better next year, they must have got in under the netting!

At least they can't get the raspberries, they are in a 'cage'!

[Scarlet]

I would love a fruit cage!

[Dorothy rouse]

It's a 'home made' version, very overcrowded, but does at least protect my raspberries ! ( I hope )

[Nicos]

Jays used to pinch mine...very sneaky birds...I've actually sat and watched one climb up the trunk of a cherry tree , squeeze under the netting and pig out on MY cherries!

[Jay22]

No I didn't!

[Nicos]

Well if it wasn't you...who was it then?

[Kirk]

I don't bother to do anything to mine, agreed I do not have many, and do not have a problem. The leaves get munched by sawfly but the berries are left alone.

[BUFFS]

I don't think that the birds round here know what fruit is, they only discovered blueberries last year after 4/5yrs, so they will be protected this year. sid squirrel has been chewing through the netting and eating the strawbs again and sits there with a big strawberry in his mouth, tail twitching, daring us to chase him, with OH shouting at him that "he is a very naughty boy", shades of monty python again, and she glares at me for laughing at her words, really made my day if not hers, on each person may a little sun fall on them..