CLOSED: Bird attacking my clematis!

The last couple days I have noticed a bird going wild on my Clematis montana 'Mayleen'. The clem is on a trellis against my garden shed, but the trellis is too short, so I attached hookeyes along the gable and strung fishing line to which I tie up the vines.

I can't identify the bird because she flies off before I can even lift my camera, and forget about me going outside for a closer look. Maybe an Oriole? Definitely a paler, more orangey breast and smaller stature than a Robin. About the size of a grackle or catbird.

Perhaps she's looking for materials to make a nest, but she keeps detaching the fish line, making the vines flop, and it's bumming me out.

Does anyone have any good ideas on how to keep her away? I planted the clematis last fall. It's the only montana I can grow in my zone, and I really want to give it a chance.

P.S. I will post a picture of the little vandal as soon as I can.

This message was edited May 22, 2009 1:02 PM

If she is looking for nest materials, why don't you try supplying her with some alternate materials nearby, like yarn and cotton and short pieces of twine. Try putting them in a mesh bag or suet feeder and hanging it near your clematis. If she has an easier source, it might deter her from detaching the fish line.

Thanks, shebs45. I will do just that.

On second thought, I might just let the bird do what she wants this spring. In another thread, someone recommended that I cut the Mayleen back to about 12 inches from the ground early next spring to force more shoots out of the ground and give it a better chance of surviving in my zone.

It will also give me a chance to buy a taller trellis and/or tie up some invisible netting to the side of the shed because I mistakenly thought the clematis would grab onto the surface on its own.

Sounds like your problem is solved. I'd be interested to know how long your little friend persists.

Not long. She appears to have moved on sometime this past weekend, though I did identify her as an Oriole.

Thanks for the tip on alternate materials. I put a mesh bag of nest stuff outside in case other birds get any ideas.