Berries & Bird Feeders... how much distance between them I've almost got my berry area complete. There's blackberries and strawberries. Then it hit me. There's bird feeders about 50 feet away. I know I'm going to have to put up a scarecrow or something to help keep the birds out of them.... But... should I move the feeders further away? Perhaps to the other side of the yard so the birds just don't happen upon the berries? Or do I keep them well fed right there so they won't be tempted to look for more food?
Cheryl, the birds will find your berries. I'd suggest putting bird netting over the bushes as soon as the fruit starts to ripen, or sooner. Birds, even well-fed birds, will stuff themselves on anything and everything within a two-mile radius of a bird feeder. The feeder teaches them "food is available here" and they eat anything available. Do not ask me about my grapes, or lack thereof . . . .
Looks like you may need to invest in bird netting...or share. I find the birds only seem to like my blue berries. They don't seem to care for raspberries or strawberries. Unfortunately guess what my favorite berries are.
Dawn breaks over South Liberty County, Texas and the birds awaken, their first thought is 'Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!' One bird remembers where she saw some Chirp! A flurry of wings and the birds are off, flying about 30 feet above the ground they quickly locate the feeder. As they swoop down on the feeder one bird yells CHIRP!!….. CHIRP!! They notice a berry bush……and more berries!! The morning is spent eating berries…….delicious new berries. Jerry
The birds are not such a problem with berries. When you approach the bush to pick they will all scatter. When I was a kid we used to pick a blackberry patch in the woods of Hudson Valley, New York. Our problem was going to pick and finding the patch inhabited by black bears who were busy stuffing their faces with blackberries. They didn't scatter, we did. dr
I didn't have much trouble with the birds and the berries last year, but they were in a more-traveled area. Now they are kinda out in the open and easier to spot. I remember when we bought our fruit trees and berry canes, someone asked how to keep the birds from eating the fruit. The guy said... you can't. Just make sure you grow enough for them too. So... I guess I'll be putting up a scarecrow and all sorts of whirly-things to try to scare them away. Thanks everyone... Except for Jerry who's story of the birds eating all my berries made me sad. :-D
Try tying two of those tin pie plates together on a short string and then to a dowell rod you can siick in the ground. A few of these placed close to your berry plants might make them think twice. They are reflective and when the wind blows they make noise. But the birds will get used to them after a while so alternate with Wal-Mart bags tied to the plants. Had to do that last year for my nectarines,,Mockingbirds love nectarines.
