Birds stripped the flowers of my lupins

[Bummle]

I noice that some birds have removed the top flowers from the top of my lupin spikes. Why would they do this?

[wildwood]

There could be many reasons as the tops are the freshest. Have you seen birds do it? It is most likely to be a species that have learned that the pollen tastes nice but is unable to get to it without destroying the flower.

This is not unknown with birds but it does sound more like something ants or some insect like earwigs would do.

[ladybirder]

Maybe some nice tasty grubs in there.

[Bummle]

Thanks wildwood. I'm pretty certain it's birds because my husband said he saw birds actually clinging to the spike - I think he said bluetits

[ladybirder]

Bummie I meant the birds were eating the grubs in the lupin spikes.

[Clanad]

You're likely right about it being birds, but here in the western U.S. we get occasional attacks of Blister Beetles that destroy the lupines... They are fairly large, hard shelled and very black... should be readily noticeable if you have them...

[rowanwitch]

after aphids lupin aphids are bigger and sort of grey and woolly more meat for a blue tit than the normal greenfly