Something's eating my sweet peas

[mothhawk]

I had a close look at them today as there are only a few flowers evident and by this time of year there are usually dozens. Well, there have been - I counted about 20 flower stalks, lovely long ones, and they just look like they do when you deadhead them. Something has swiped the flower heads

What could it be? None of the leaves have been touched at all.

My number one suspect is bluetit babies. They've been in the garden a lot lately. Would they peck the flowers off, "sampling" them?

Otherwise I'm at a loss to know what could have done it.

Any ideas?

[Mr Bones]

For the last two years Mrs B's sweet peas have had disappearing flower heads and suspected it might have been birds (no flowers heads on the ground). Luckily it passed as the season went on. This year wrens took up the nest box and we've had no problems so far.

[Martin H]

I find the early flowers often have buds that don't develop and drop off. Like Mr Bones's, they soon stop doing this and get on with the job.

[mothhawk]

Thanks guys, that's reassuring. Never had it happen before and I adore sweet peas.