Gooseberries disappear

For the second year running the unripe fruit has almost totally gone from my gooseberry bush.

Anyone know if pigeons could be the culprits? Do they take unripe berries?

Pigeons certainly do.

In my experience blackbirds tend to wait until they are ripe and generally prefer red berries. I am happy for the robins to take the few that they do as they consume huge amounts of bugs too.

Middlesexbloke's advice re netting is essential.

You could also do what I've done this year and not get around to weeding around them!    It's working a treat as I appear to have a lot of fruit on the gooseberries and blackcurrants (three of each).  Was planning to do it soon but may well leave it until nearer harvest.