Protecting your orchard from birds is no small task. They want your fruit just as much–if not more–than you, and city living means fewer edible plants to offer them nutrition. Cherries, blueberries, and grapes are their most common targets. We’re in the midst of cherry season and now is also the time to think about protecting your blueberries as they begin to ripen!


Bird Netting:

The most common protection from birds is netting. This plastic mesh allows sunlight to pass through & protects fruit that isn’t directly touching the net from pecking.  You’re much better off building a structure rather than just throwing netting directly over your berry bushes. Here’s one simple frame for blueberries using PVC.

Bird netting is most effective when attached to a structure rather than draped directly over plants. (Photo: flikr.com)

Shiny Things:

Hanging things in & around your orchard that reflect sunlight will deter birds, such as unused CDs, aluminum foil, pie pans, metallic pinwheels, & reflective tape. These things should be placed only right before and during harvest season and then removed, as birds will learn that they’re not harmful after a while. Lots of things in your home environment can be repurposed for this job, but there’s also products like Irri-tape if you want to get fancy!

Kool-Aid & Sugar Sprays:

Did you know that birds can’t process the more complex molecule of sucrose (sugar)? Spraying sugar water or grape kool-aid on your cherries, blueberries, or other fruit can protect them from bird predation and of course washes off easily and harmlessly after you pick them! More info. Kaolin clay, cayenne pepper, and other sprays can also help.

Scarecrows, Fake Owl or Hawk Figures:

Owl statues, shiny objects, and other means of scaring birds can be marginally effective if deployed right before ripening and moved frequently. (Photo: needpix.com)

Place things throughout the orchard at proper heights that look like your birds’ & squirrels’ natural enemies!

How to Make a Scarecrow

Predator decoys

Similarly, you can build roosting spots for owls & hawks at the right height to attract the real thing. A couple of cross beams are all it takes.

Sacrifice Crops:

Since biodiversity in the city is less than in more preserved areas, competition for food is high. The Philadelphia Orchard Project aims to plant a wide variety of edibles in its partner orchards, some of which are less familiar. Mulberries in particular are effective as as a bird distraction, as they ripen at the same time as both cherries and blueberries and are sweeter than either. You might also consider planting some more sour fruits, including pie cherries, currants, gooseberries, and elderberries, which birds are less interested in. A more diverse orchard ensures a more viable ecosystem & still gets you a good harvest!

Mulberries are the favorite of birds and may help distract from cherries and blueberries, which ripen at the same time! (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Birdfeeders:

If you have enough space, experiment with keeping a birdfeeder or dried corn on site away from fruit & nut trees & berry bushes. If animals fill up on other foods, they may stay away from your crops!

Easy birdfeeders to make with Kids

Bird Attracting & Insectary Plants:

Though it may be counterintuitive, planting things that attract beneficial insects & birds will also provide higher energy protein for birds that eat insects & improve your ecosystem. The higher nutrition foods, for omnivorous birds, will fill them up on bugs before fruits. Here is a link for a variety of “birdscaping” articles: birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/plants-and-trees-that-attract-birds/

Vigilance:
Stay one step ahead of the animals by keeping a close eye on your crops. Harvest them a day or two before peak ripeness & allow them to ripen in your homes.

 

Sources:

Home Guides 

Grow Organic 

Let us know how these methods work for you or if you come up with other effective means of bird protection.  Happy harvesting!
 
This edition of POP TIPS prepared by POP Education & Outreach Director Robyn Mello.
 
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