Grow Your Own Magazine

The ruddy sparrows are eating all my Chard! I thought they were being good and eating greenfly, but on closer inspection, they've been ripping great chucks of leaf off - and had a go at my mange tout as well.
All tucked safely under net now.

I suspect they are after moisture from the greens, rather than food - it is so hot and dry, and I don't have a bird bath (note to self: get that pond in pronto)

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Get a large pot saucer and put it on the lawn - makes an excelent birdbath until the pond is ready - if you fill it with water of course!

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The weeks and the years are fine. It's the days I can't cope with!

I read in the GYO mag to put the lid of the compost bin on upside down and put some water in it for the birds. I quite liked that idea

janeyo

Water in anything that will contain it will make a great bird bath and be much appreciated by them. Don't forget to tip it out and replace it every few days or the mosquitoes will breed in there.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I have already got two upturned bin-lids with water in at top end of lottie. Perhaps I shall move them to nearer to the chard till they get the hint!

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

I've never had anything (including pigeons so far!) eat chard. Himself says that's because chard is nasty! NOT SO! Good luck with detering them.

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Some days you're the statue, some days you're the pigeon!

vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated July 16th 2008

Last year I had trouble with them eating our lettuce and beetroot leaves. I provide them with plenty of food and water but it made no difference.

I find that sparrows tend not to eat the stuff they destroy - they seem to do it for mischief. I don't mind (within reason) anything helping itself to my crops if they are actually eating it, but if they just pick it to pieces I get cross!!

the little b*ggers!
They've moved onto my peas and beetroot leaves now...little bites taken off every plant. the leaves are being stripped to the stems. This is despite the bin-lid of water I've put out for them to drink from (and they are). I think they are just being malicious.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi