"Where be that blackbird to?

[Baldy]

I know where he be."

3 of 'em - 1 per potted gooseberry plant.

"Now I sees he, And he sees I,
Buggered if I don’t get ‘en
With a gurt big stick I’ll knock ‘im down
Blackbird I’ll ‘ave he!"

We've got a wildlife hedge going round the site - working too well methinks. The blackbirds are half tame - one carried on eating, nay devouring, my almost ripe gooseberries even when I was just a foot away.

I'll have to deploy netting next year I guess. Any other ideas?

"No longer can I sleep at night, get peace of any kind,
That bird’ll be the death of me, he’s prayin’ on me mind!
If I chase him long enough, I’ll get ‘en by and by,
And celebrate me vict’ry with a girt big blackbird pie!"

https://youtu.be/QzjSXbimzSk

[Mark_Riga]

I got no gooseberries this year with the blackbirds. I've built a fruit cage but the gooseberry is outside it. I'll need to move a cutting inside which will take a couple of years to complete (can't move the bush as it is overgrown and entangled with raspberries, nettles and a vine so will probably cover with some netting next year. I was going to pick some before they got ripe enough for the blackbird but never got round to it, or rather when I did it was too late.

[Nicos]

On my previous allotment it was the jays which used to pinch them!

[jonny the plant pot]

Mine a really small this year so will let them all be stolen

[Chippy Minton]

A few years ago number 1 daughter was watching the blackbirds eat all the blueberries, wistfully she said "At least the birds are getting their 5 a day" and off she went, happy as.....

Wise words.

[BUFFS]

[QUOTE=Baldy;1543642]I know where he be."

3 of 'em

You should do what OH does when sid squirrel sits on the drive eating our biggest strawberries, she tells him that "he's a very naughty boy", it doesn't stop him but to see her saying this, all very serious, has me rolling round laughing, it he can brighten the day in such a way, I don't begrudge him the strawberries, its like being on the side of a monty python set..:

[Baldy]

Mine a really small this year so will let them all be stolen

Mine are mostly pretty small - lack of water in the spring I'm guessing... bleedy blackbirds nonetheless

[happyhumph]

I feel your pain Baldy - the path by my fruit bushes is covered in purple bird poo from redcurrants and blackcurrants, & gooseberries which were ripening nicely have all gone. The birds don't even bother to fly out of the bushes when I walk past anymore!

Building project for OH this winter I think

Have realised it's all about pests this year for me.....

[BUFFS]

The birds leave the goosgogs alone, so far, we get little trouble from cabbage whites, is that to do with where we are living?...

[greenishfing]

Where is the blackbird?

If they are not careful 4 and 20 of them (pre-stuffed with my fruit)are heading piewards!