Beating the Birds

Above and to the right are the Vidal Blanc and Chambourcin with the bird nets in place. Below is the Chardonnay that has been stripped clean by the birds in just 3 days.

In the past two weeks, just as our grapes are ripening, flocks of European Starlings and Cowbirds have been flying in to feast on our grapes. It began almost overnight as our Chardonnay grapes began to disappear at an alarming rate. I guess good news travels fast in the bird world and within 3 days our acre of Chardonnay that had such promise was stripped bare.

Thanks to the Orchard Valley Supply company for rushing our order of bird netting. Thanks to Jody, Lee and Colton who helped put the first day's nets over the Cab Franc and Vidal Blanc. Thanks to Chris, Greg, Becky and Elliot for helping to cover the Concord and Chambourcin. In just two days we have all our grapes covered from top to bottom and the birds have been forced to find food somewhere else. We learned another valuable lesson the hard way. Next year we will have our bird netting in place several weeks in advance of the grapes changing color. I have posted pictures of the vines that were stripped clean by the birds as well as several pictures of our netted vines hanging full of grapes.