dave said:

after putting some thought into it i think i could best describe the
damage as follows:

the stems when observed at close distance - appeared to have been
"sliced" at a 45 degree angle, to the depth ranging from surface level
to 1/2 way thru the stem.

what type of pest would cause this kind of damage?

Still sounds like birds (based on my experience). Young starlings, to be
exact.
--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)