You don't see the aphids and other insects because they've been eaten by the birds!
Pollen is also eaten, I'm told, by (e.g.) long-tailed tits.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nightshade  Over the last few weeks there has been a pair of Magpies giving me
great amusement as they pull twigs off my Weeping Birch,losing their
tempers as their selected twig lodges sideways in the other branches
or simply refusing to come loose under their assault.
I located their domed nest and looking at it discreetly with binos.
it seems to be almost entirely constructed from Birch twigs!
The Jackdaws have moved in to their hole in the nextdoor neighbours
eaves and are currently tearing branches and plant-stems from my
garden to construct a nest.
The Birch is showing that first green haze of emerging buds and though
I have looked carefully I cannot see what it is that the Goldfinches and
Tits (Blue and Great)are hanging on the branch tips for(they seem to enjoy
the bounce and swing anyway and get quite vocal)unless it is dew-drops
Popular tree this year though |