Wisteria flowers being eaten

[hammerman]

My parents have a gorgeous Wisteria...lovingly pruned every august and febuary by me. It usually has in excess of 200 flowers on it...and it smells exquisite.

But this year, a small group of sparrows have eaten every single flower bud....there isn't one left.

Now i appreciate we might get a summer flush of flowers but it's not the same. On top of this, sparrows never venture far from their birth place so i'd guess that there will be more of this in future years now they have the taste for them.

Has anyone else experienced this ?...is there anything we can do (netting and fleece are a no-no)

Any suggestions welcome

[landscaper2]

Not experienced this problem myself Hammerman, but a quick Google shows it's not unknown.

http://www.which.co.uk/files/application/pdf/B ird%20Problems%20229-445-92757.pdf

Hopefully the little devils will leave enough flowers for your parents to enjoy, then move on next year.

Good to see you pruning at the correct times!!

[hammerman]

Blimey...sparrows and wisteria are mentioned in the same sentance !!!!

Thanks for that. I prune at the correct time because i'm a head gardener mate ;o)

Never known birds to eat wisteria in 25 years of profesional gardening....and they've eaten EVERY bud....not a single one remains.

Thanks again