For the past 30 years I've grown lots of soft fruit. I net the red
currants - otherwise the birds get them - but I don't bother netting
blackcurrants and get plenty of berries (20-35 lbs).

This year everything was early, so the birds got the redcurrants before I
netted. I've been distracted this last week by have guests to stay, and I
go check the blackcurrents and there they were - gone! I picked what was
left - just over 1 lb. Usually I blame blackbirds, but there were many
quite large branches broken making me suspect wood pigeons.

Is that likely? The berries were not all ripe - I have a early & late
season varieties, but they were still gone. This has never happenned
before.

Could it be grey squirrels? Until now we haven't had them - but I've seen
a young pair around alot recently.

I'm near Wakefield. I'm a bit miffed. Other than a fruit cage and netting
is there anything that can be done to discourage.

Jim
p.s. I'm getting good amounts of raspberries, despite them not being
netted.