[UrbanGrower]

Hi

Perhaps someone can help me. I have a secret night feeder. I woke up after the first night if rain in a while to see my beautiful Swiss chard covered in holes. Not sure if these are slugs or what. Can anyone offer me advice to what is eating them and how to protect them.

I was thinking about trying to cover then over night?

Help me please. I had just hot rid of the beet thingy... (They are in containers so can be moved or easily wrapped up. And I have attached some photos.

Thanks again
Urban Grower

[8doubles]

IMO they are pecks, pigeon or spadger.

[UrbanGrower]

Wow thanks 8doubles!
Would never have thought about that will start protecting from birds eek I have tonnes of sparrows and a wood pigeon that's been hanging around!
Any tips on bird proofing!!

[Lesleyk]

Wow thanks 8doubles!
Would never have thought about that will start protecting from birds eek I have tonnes of sparrows and a wood pigeon that's been hanging around!
Any tips on bird proofing!!

Try a fine mesh net - my whole veg patch is covered in the stuff!

[Snoop]

Interesting. I have the same pattern of damage on mine and I assumed it was snails (I picked 50 tiddler snails of three sprout plants this morning).

[Christine]

The sparrows up here have decided that swiss chard is the feast of choice this year.

[Growster...]

Interesting points, it's spinach here which gets a nibble now and then!

[8doubles]

I have watched a hen sparrow go down  lines of seed of seedlings a peck out of the beet leaves a peck out of the spinach, several pecks out of the little gem lettuce.
All while i was stood four feet away with a watering can !

Brazen grazing ! 

[GrannieAnnie]

My problem is probably slugs and snails chewed the tops off my cucumber and courgette plant in the little greenhouse AND my only 2 decentish chilli plants!

Also some of the carrot tops have been chomped off in my raised bed.   

[boddy]

I have out some fleece over mine to stop my resident rabbit and birds, they seem quite happy growing under it.