Don't birds eat caterpillars?

[gemlady]

I thought that birds ate caterpillars or am I wrong? I've had a vast population of caterpillars and they have stripped bare my PSB's but not a bird in sight. Does anyone know why?

[Capsid]

Yes, birds do eat caterpillars. But insects produce thousands of caterpillars to counteract that. Also I think that birds can't land on PSB/brassicas easily and probably find it difficult to get to the caterpillars as well as being out in the open themselves where they could be attacked by sparrowhawks.

[Two_Sheds]

Blue tits do eat lots of caterpillars, but I think they go off into the countryside in the summer months, for their vacation.

[coachman]

close to the ground !

I agree with Capsid, my kale (not the curly variety ) is full of caterpillar holes, and I think the birds can't land on the plants easily, and are vulnerable, being so low to the ground.

Also, if plants are large enough, any hanging CD's should be removed.

I'll be trying to invent a miniture CD which scares the hell out of caterpillars !

[gemlady]

Got the chap who mows my lawns to dig up the PSB today, but there are caterpillars scurrying all over my patio now He's put the plants in my green bin so that lid will be firmly closed till it's emptied next week. Hate caterpillars but will have to pluck up the courage to go past them and water my greenhouse plants.