Maybe they're thirsty. Put some shallow bowls with water around the garden.

This post was edited by Weicker on Mon, Jul 21, 14 at 23:14

Good idea Weicker! Here in CA we're in a nasty drought and, now that the tomatoes are coming in, I'll work on that!
I do have a pond and a birdbath, but I think I'll put some other sources of water around! Nancy

Yes they're after the maters for the water, keep a small bowl of water and this should avoid the pecks. I got to know this advice (amongst others) from the video link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Growing Tips

I had thought about the water issue. Have seen this very same thing happen in years past but it is usually later in the growing season. We have had a decent amount of rainfall as of late and a field nearby does have a pond in it.

I suspect mockingbirds but not sure. They are plentiful around the house.

Whatever bird that it may be, they are even hitting the green ones.

May try the bowl of water trick and see if it works. To be honest, hadn`t thought about that one.

Double post.

This post was edited by hobbiest on Tue, Jul 22, 14 at 23:19

I use polyester chicken netting to keep my chickens from pecking my tomatoes, so it would probably work for mockingbirds, too. It's lightweight and flexible, and it won't poke you like real chicken wire.

Here is a link that might be useful: plastic poultry netting

Totally agree about the mockingbirds looking for water by pecking the ripe tomatoes. I caught them at it one drought year.

Bowls of water nearby and some bird netting over the plants should save the rest of your tomatoes.

Have a couple of water bowls around the tomato end of the garden.

Haven`t seen any new pecked tomatoes yet.

I am hoping that it works.

Thanks folks for your suggestions and information.

:)

I hate mockingbirds. I have yet to find a good use for them.

Still looking.............