Question
We are getting more and more robins every year and they haven't attacked my Vegetables and the Cherry tree we use a net around it but I begin to worry as we plant more fruit trees and other berries they will become a nuisance.  what can I do?  I know they are a very smart bird and very bad at telling their friends where the food is.  I asked about Fake owls and other things and know they wont work what can scare them away so we don't have to always net everything.

Answer
I have never found robins to be a problem in my vegetable garden, but they certainly will nest in fruit trees, although they prefer larger trees with more foliage for protection.

Netting is the only solution when it comes to birds, especially when dealing with berries and other small fruits. Fake props such as owls are totally ineffective, even for rabbits. Once the animal figures out that the prop does not move, they no longer view it as a threat.

My solution over the years is that if you can't beat them, accommodate them in other ways. I place several bird feeders throughout my yard and keep them regularly filled with bird seed. The birds would much rather eat the seed than most fruits. Continue to net the smaller berries, but don't worry about the larger trees. I have eight apple, peach, and plum trees, and the birds never bother them.

I hope this information helps. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike