Are the birds caretaking my brassicas?

[1Bee]

I haven't netted my brassicas, as we're just starting out and didn't have any of the kit (or any money then!) at the time. I've got a few PSB, a row of swede some kale.

I've seen the butterflies around, picked a very few caterpillars off, and seen a small amount of damage here and there, but quite infrequently. Often I'll notice damage, check and not find any caterpillars, and then a few days later there's no new damage, suggesting a caterpillar has been and disappeared again.

There are very few slugs and snails on the plot, I recognise flea beetle damage, and I've been seeing the caterpillar poop where there's damage, too.

I've been a bit flummoxed, because this is not the cater-pocalypse I've been led to expect.

Then I wondered - are the birds policing my crop for me? Our plot has mature hedges on two sides with plenty of bird life.

What do you think?

[Thelma Sanders]

tbh there haven't been that many this year, so perhaps the birds or other critters have helped - as will any heavy downpours you've had.
I've got most of my brassicas netted, but even on the few that aren't there isn't much damage - so far.

That doesn't mean they won't get stripped by the end of September though

[1Bee]

I'll keep on checking them, Thelma!

[Penellype]

The air in my garden is thick with cabbage whites. They have given up trying to get at my netted brassicas and moved onto teh nasturtiums, but I think all parking places are now occupied because I've seen some trying to lay eggs on courgette leaves. They must be really desperate!

[meteor]

1Bee I find in my garden that the birds generally take care of the small and large green type caterpillars. However nothing seems to be interested in the yellow/green types which are the last of the three to appear. The only control I have is daily inspection and destroying the pests myself, I also put in some sacrificial nasturtiums nearby which they seem to prefer and can be stripped bare to the stalk by the yellow/green perils

[1Bee]

Yes, I know those beggars - they take out my nasturtiums most autumn. I'll keep on checking - in the meantime I'm thankful to the birdies for dealing with the green ones - so much harder to spot!