Bird Netting Ready

      Well, we finished netting our grapes a little early this year.  It seems like we are always rushing at the last minute to get our netting done as the birds are devouring our grapes just before we pick them. So this year we put the nets on a week or two early.  I realize this creates a new set of problems like mowing and spraying between the rows and we will have plenty of tears as we remove the nets but with all the grapes we have lost in the last 3 years it is time to take action early this year.  Our crop looks fantastic and we are hoping that everything continues to develop right on schedule.  The pictures show our Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc and Chardonnay from top to bottom with the netting completely covering the vines from root to shoot.  Today I was getting the secret weapon ready to deploy at the first sign of bird damage.  It is an electronic bird repelling system that I will take some pictures of when I install it.  I can tell you that it certainly sounds awful.  Last night I tested it in the kitchen.  The sounds of dead and dying birds at in their final gasps (or should I say tweets) of life were horrific and if it sounds awful to me I think it will even sound worse to my feathered enemies.  We will keep you updated on our progress.  Meanwhile I am going inside to watch the Hitchcock Classic "The Birds"!