[mark0912]

Something on our allotment site is chewing everyones lettuces. The damage only seems to have kicked in in the last few days as before all was fine.

we dont think its slugs as there are people who have plenty pellets around and there are no signs of dead slugs anywhere. can anyone help please?

[crh75]

Looks like slugs or snails to me.

[mark0912]

As I said there are plenty slug pellets about to stop that

Also there is no similar damage to other crops like cabbages etc and as its happened to a few of us I'd say its unlikely the slugs are only targetting lettuces

Could it be pigeons?

[DD.]

I'd say pigeons.

[Livinhope]

Or could it be sparrows after insects?

[iggyboy]

yep,you can bet its pigeons,they love unnetted brassicas as well!!

[Ice]

I have watched sparrows eat very new shoots and kill entire p lants.  They also eat delicate leaves that touch netting.  

[mark0912]

thanks guys

best get myself some netting

[mumofstig]

the sparrows are pecking the flowers off of my sugarsnap peas as we 'speak' 

[8doubles]

The spadgers do like a bit of fresh greenstuff but i would say your culprit is slug or caterpillar as the bits missing look rounded rather than tattered from small pointy beaks.

[pedro]

I also had damage to my lettuces for the first time ever.
I was showing them to another plot holder when down came a sparrow, ripped off a lump and flew off with it. Nobody had seen this happen before.
But I think it was only when they had young and it has now stopped.

[mobilekat]

At least you know for definite who was to blame!

Due to our neighbours cats we dont get many birds, but sadly slugs and snails are breeding well!

[Paul Plots]

Net and see.
Birds, it seems to me.
Cover the lot and I think you'll be free
Of the problem...

That's a tip from me! 

[Terrier]

Last year I lost three complete sowings of beetroot. At first I thought it was slugs, but I only got some to grow when I netted them.

[Paul Plots]

Last year I lost three complete sowings of beetroot. At first I thought it was slugs, but I only got some to grow when I netted them.

Unusual for beetroot to be targetted by birds... I've not had problems with them - mind you I sow into very tiny cells and transplant once they have more than seed leaves well established.