It's very annoying! It's bad enough that late frosts can take out plums in their infancy, but this harvesting happens before the buds even burst!
Nets are the only answer it seems, but netting now just seems crazy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to have to do it.
13 comments:
Where's that cat when you need it? ;-)
Just kidding! Tricky problem though. I've seen kereru strip kowhai in late winter (the kowhai appear to love it). We need more kereru feed trees I guess (but would that mean more pigeons?).
Do they do this often, or it is an unusual year?
They do do this wildcrafty, though this year they're exceptionally bold and relaxed about their mahi. I could have hit this one with a hockey stick, if I'd had one. They also love broom tips and buds and any other leguminous tree or shrub. They do leave the lower flowers however, so we'll still get enough fruit.
One year they took a massive crop of nashi when they were at the 'late childhood' stage. I could hardly believe my eyes! I was sure the crop was secure. Trout of the skies!
Perhaps you could get the guy that shot all the Kea the other day to diversify, I am sure he wouldn't mind helping you out.
Tie him to the tree and his howls of protest would keep the kereru away?
The idea appeals.
Who's been shooting kea?
Some anti 1080 psychopath Wild Crafty, thinks he's making a point, though what that point is, is anybodies guess.
Fairly par for the course though.
There's a course Shunda?
Won't be an 'anti' from the environmentalists side - none of those would kill kea. Must be from the hunting fraternity. The gun's the clue :-)
How interesting! Your kereru 'experience' seems to fit a pattern observable in Moeraki at this time of year. That is, animals searching out and devouring parts of plants one would not expect. Sheep sneakily jump the fence and target the bark of the tree lucern, and rabbits especially love to gnaw rings around apples, and any other precious fruit tree. Only this time of year mind you, and only select species. Hmm.
That is odd Nick!
Inscrutable, some animals. Thank goodness sheep aren't winged.
I've been visiting schools to prune their year-old apple trees for them and I notice the worst pest is lambs. Lamb-damage is very noticeable in rural Southland schools. Another mystery I suppose. This morning I was reduced to hurling japonica apples at the kereru in the Wilson's Wonder. Best use for that fruit btw but check what's behind your target before you throw. Seriously hard fruit!
"That is, animals searching out and devouring parts of plants one would not expect."
It makes sense though. Coming to the end of winter, they'll be looking for whatever food sources they can find, especially micronutrients they've used up over the winter and weren't in their winter feed. They'll be craving the food that give them what they need.
Robert, you don't have a surplus of pigeons you have a deficit of....what? ;-)
Tangata whenua?
(joke)
Heh, I saw a kereru in a plumtree today, and it did excactly as you said - stripped the branch it was sitting on, blossom by blossom.
Not my tree, luckily
They're everywhere!
Pity the poor plums.
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