Most of my readers will have memories of the little song "Robin in a Cherry Tree, sing a little song for me" or something similar. A harbinger of spring, we always look forward to seeing the red breasted bird arrive. He is so intent when pulling out worms, listening intently and never giving up, pulling, pulling until there teh earthworm dangles from his beak. Or maybe only a portion of the worm, but no matter, the bird won the fight. So cute and clever!
My feelings about robins now are much different than in those unknowing days of singing. Yes, I have robins in my cherry tree, and I intend to clear out the nest! Again! I thought I had done this last fall, but this year I can see that they are very good at home restoration.
These feathered thieves are worse than any camp robber jay. We have three cherry trees in our orchard and it is very seldom we get to eat any of the cherries they produce. The birds are gobbling the fruit before it has a chance to fully ripen. I have even tried to pick early, but that doesn't work either. They consume the sour pie cherries just as rapidly. I always hope their stomachs ache. The pit is left on the tree, totally bare, stripped clean, still hanging from the stem attached to the tree. A symbol I see each time I mow the lawn.
Robins devour strawberries just as rapidly, maybe even faster. They don't have to worry about the pit and who cares about a little green leaf in an aviary diet. Yes, I have tried the covering with a net "prevention." All that means is that the owner of the fruit has to clear out the bodies of the birds who get trapped beneath the net, stomachs full of the produce, and they can't get out. Maybe they are too bottom heavy for takeoff! I just know I have had my share of bird fatalities with nets. It stinks, in more ways than one!
We have gone through the cherry war for this current year. Now they have moved on to my ripening black currants. My source of jam, jelly and rich purple syrup that is such a treat for the whole neighborhood! I watched the birds fly from the nuded cherry tree to the currant bushes, diving in, sweeping out. So I commenced to mow the lawn in that area---no bird action. I no more than turned off the machine and entered my kitchen to prepare a meal, turning to look through the patio doors into the backyard and the
creatures were back in action.
I wish I could convince my mamma cat to sit by the currants. That fiesty little lady would make a very good guard. I have seen her in action with birds she has nabbed. But she has business elsewhere and cats aren't much for guard duty. I am having wishes for my BB gun of yore, or even a 22.
In the meantime I pick whatever berries are ready, as fast as I can. I know the enemy has the berry patch in its sights, in fact I just saw one sitting within 3 yards above me on a stack of oil cans behind the bushes. Arrogant creature, not even needing the protection of the cherry leaves, just waiting for my departure! Smug features, greedy appetites intact!
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