Now the bird idea seems a possibility. I have seen flocks of goldfinches in the area, but would they be strong enough to detach the pea pods and open them? wood pigeons maybe--but then everyone else's peas would have been similarly attacked.
I am pretty certain it is not allotment holders. There are only six of us, and we all get on well and respect each others plots. We constantly fight the battle with rabbits, moles and mice, but this is a completely new predator!
Have discovered the culprit. It is a pheasant. The local gamekeeper found one taking all his peas on his allotment. Will have to net everything next year!
Posts
No, they're not clever at all (OH calls one of ours Peabrain - he tries to perch on bendy sunflowers)
I'd misunderstood - I thought the damage occured pre-netting the crop. If not, I'm still saying Homo sapiens.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm also very sceptical about it being anything except people - big or small. Anyway, time will tell, obviously.
Now the bird idea seems a possibility. I have seen flocks of goldfinches in the area, but would they be strong enough to detach the pea pods and open them? wood pigeons maybe--but then everyone else's peas would have been similarly attacked.
I am pretty certain it is not allotment holders. There are only six of us, and we all get on well and respect each others plots. We constantly fight the battle with rabbits, moles and mice, but this is a completely new predator!
Perhaps I will never know. Have just been and bought some peas in their pods from the supermarket. Not quite the same as ones I grow myself though!
Is 'Carrots at Dawn' a good book? See if I can track a copy down!
Check that nothing has escaped from the local zoo!!
Stephanie
If you have a Kindle or other ebook reader have a look at this link - its also available in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carrots-Dawn-Fifty-Shades-parsnips-ebook-x/dp/B00QSMLQ52/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441970406&sr=1-1&keywords=carrots+at+dawn
Thanks for the endorsement!
At least it wasn't an unpleasant peasant, as many of us expected it to be!