What is eating my beetroot and lettuce seedlings?

Of course slugs are always a prioblem, but if the leaves look torn then the culprit is almost certainly sparrows. Since the dry spring of 2012 they have developed a real taste for these seedlings. Netting need to be very thorough; they are clever, agile little chaps and will go through gaps to get what they want. Isn't nature wonderful (if at times very irritating)?

For more tips on recognising and prreventing bird damage, click here.