Hello everyone!

I'm a new poster and look forward to enjoying and sharing gardening experiences on this forum.

I live outside Dublin in the countryside, elevation about 400 feet, so weather would be similar to northern England but milder in winter.

Now for my question:

Last spring which was pretty cold I lost a lot of apple buds to goldfinches.

I encourage all small birds by feeding them but when they go for my fruit-buds, it's pretty annoying.

I have seven varieties of apple trees (all about seven years old) and all were attacked.

I have tried tape ribbon from a cassett and pieces of netting (trees are too big to totally enclose.) No success.

Anyone any ideas for next year?

Regards.