Birds in the bush

The fruit on our plum tree was almost ripe when the birds discovered it. A news flash went out to all flying fructivores in the area and for the last couple of days the tree has borne a heavy crop of birds. Whenever I go into the garden I hear the twittering whistles of little green parrots or the quick soft gossip of silvereyes as they devour the plums.

I feel a bit disappointed that I won't get to eat many plums but not very disappointed. We have several types of fruit trees and always end up with a glut of something, so we won't miss the plums. More important, I am quietly delighted to have the birds. They are so beautiful and so clearly enjoying themselves at their plum feast. I think from now on I will simply consider that the plum tree is for the birds and its purpose in the garden is decorative. (If I get an occasional feed of plums it will be a bonus.) May I never need my plum harvest more than the parrots do. What is the real worth of a bird in the bush?

And I don't intend ever to put bird netting over the tree. I accept that orchardists do, but they enclose whole orchards with taut nets and birds do not often get trapped in that type of net. Loose netting is a different thing and can be hazardous to birds. Last night I heard about a cockatoo that had been entangled in netting for two weeks before being rescued. Other cockatoos had fed the captive bird during that two weeks which is an indication of what sociable and caring creatures they are. It is a pleasure to share my garden with them.

Here is a link to the story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/04/2153742.htm