Gordon Johnson, Extension Vegetable & Fruit Specialist; gcjohn@udel.edu
We have seen extensive bird damage in grapes in our vineyard at the UD Georgetown Research Farm over the last week. In particular, birds have devoured all the dark skinned Vinifera and some dark skinned hybrid wine grape varieties. Light skinned grapes have less damage and there is less damage in varieties with more leaf cover where it is harder for birds to see the fruit. Large flocks of migrating birds can devastate a vineyard in a short period of time.
Vineyard managers should take care to control birds at this time when sugar contents are peaking in grapes, making them a highly desirable food source. Netting is probably the most effective control method, followed by scaring devices.