Blackbirds are a major problem in my garden, because they dig soil looking for earthworms, centipedes, woodlice and other creatures living in the soil.
Unfortunately plants attract these soil borne creatures to their root zones because of the dense populations of microscopic creatures like bacteria and fungi living there.
Blackbirds can quickly decimate recently sown seed or planted seedling by digging them up or covering them with soil when digging nearby.
The solution is to net your raised garden beds especially when the blackbirds are feeding young chicks. This system not only keeps birds at bay, it keeps out most pests including flying insects and snails etc. It also protects tender vegetables from the weather in summer when extreme heat and high winds can quickly ruin an unprotected crop.
Many other species of bird visit us occasionally, and I am reliant on honeyeaters to help pollinate my fruit trees and herbs, and Rainbow Lorikeets who like to share their juicy Apricots and Peaches with me. Both these trees are too big to net in my small garden, so I have to be satisfied with what the birds leave me.
To be fair this is usually more than enough with preserves keeping us adequately supplied until the next harvest.
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