Hahaha...poor Ill-Man! Glad you were able to handle the problem. Catbirds and Mockers (their cousins) do LOVE fruit, for sure. If it is any consolation, the catbird should be gone soon. April is about as late as they stay in this part of the state...usually. (I'm adding that disclaimer, because lately, birds seem to be disregarding the rules now and then!) Catbirds winter here, where mockers stay all year. Yours should be handing his fruit patroling duties over to his cousins any day now.

Marcia

Let us know how your bird netting works now it's in place. How much did it cost? I have around a half dozen catbirds hanging around my property this winter. Since the mulberries flowered early, I'm getting none. Hoping they will go back soon so I can start eating some. My cardinal and mockingbird population don't put as much pressure as all those catbirds. I also have a lot of natives which produce berries which they also eat, but that many catbirds eat a bit of everything.

Gary

it works great, but those catbirds and mockingbirds are SMART. you need to pin down the edges (i'm using bricks). the bird netting is cheap--you can get it at lowes or online--$6 for 14x14, which is big enough for a small tree or a row of berries. easy to install and inconspicuous. looks to be tough enough to last at least a couple seasons.

It'll be a bigger production for me, my bed is 42' long. I'll see how bad my losses are next year. I allowed only a tiny harvest this year to let my plants get bigger. What varieties are you growing?

Gary