I made a fruit cage almost exactly as you thought of. My garden is an elongated triangle so I filled the pointed end with a cage to fit. Just wooden posts for uprights, I used galvanised wire criss crossed over the top and sides to take the weight of the fine black bird netting which I draped over it. I nailed plastic greenhouse shading around the bottom half, all the way around as a wind filter and made roll up blinds of netting on battens for doors. It is divided into 5 raised beds with access paths on each side of the beds so I can reach the fruit. It was made 15 years ago and needed new posts this year. It works extremely well and I had no problems with birds getting trapped, deer or poor pollination. The cost was minimal and certainly kept my crops safe. Good luck.
So I've found some 1" x 1" Galvanised mesh online for what I believe is quite cheap. is that a good size to use? I really don't know what sort of size birds are able to get through. I'm also hoping the rain will ease so I can actually start to get it built.
I found 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch and bought a 1 yard high by a roll, the bumble bees get through it but the birds can’t. I have a door at either end to keep open until the fruit is nearly ripe, then after picking I’ll open it up again. I’m hoping it works. Valerie
Not sure if 1 inch mesh will keep blue tits out, looking at the size of the entrance holes in the bird boxes. I have used black plastic bird netting which is a finer gauge.
Hubby made a triangle fruit cage originally, over the raspberries,gooseberries, I put the blueberries in there once they get the fruit.He hinged the top for access, last year he squared the top off, we used small hole chicken wire, bought very cheaply in Aldi.
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Good luck.
I'm also hoping the rain will ease so I can actually start to get it built.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.