Gardeners are constantly concerned about protecting their plants from hungry deer , rabbits and insects. Sometimes our feathered friends can also eat flowers and buds of certain plants. Read more to find out why birds eat flower buds and tips on how to protect them from birds.
Why do birds eat flower buds?
Certain flower buds provide nutrition to birds in early spring when their preferred fruits and seeds are not available. The following flowers provide energy for migrating cedar waxwings in the spring:
- pear
- apple
- peach
- plum
- cherry
- wild apple tree
Cardinals, finches, mockingbirds, blue jays, golden finches, chaffinches, quail, and grouse are also known to feed on these fruit tree flowers. It seems that both finches and cardinals also really like forsythia flowers . Although birds generally do not eat enough flower buds to damage the plant, there are some easy ways to prevent birds from eating flower buds.
What to do when birds eat my flowers
Most garden centers have netting to protect plants from birds . There are some problems with this network. If the net is placed directly over the plant, birds can still get through and get some shoots.
The best way to cover your plant with this net is to use stakes or wood to hold the net over and around the plant without it actually touching the plant. This can be difficult on large shrubs and small trees that birds like. Additionally, if the netting is not taut around the plant or supports, birds can become entangled in it. Fine mesh wire can also be used to wrap plants that birds eat.
Hanging pie tins from fruit trees is a traditional method of preventing birds from eating flower buds. The shiny surface, reflective light and the movement of the cake tin spinning in the wind scare away birds. Fruit tree CD. Anything that spins and sways in the breeze, scattering reflected light, can protect flower buds from birds.
Birds also don’t like the noise of the bells hanging from the trees. Flickering outdoor lights can also deter birds. You can also create a bird-friendly flower bed in a different part of the yard. Set up bird baths and hang feeders to give birds a better option than eating the buds of your fruit trees.